Five Ways – July 24

July 30, 2024

Many thanks to those who commented on the June 21 Five Ways.  First, let us continue with Christian Joy, remembering that the Holy Spirit is the source of joy. A rabbi said to a precocious six year old boy “So your mother says your prayers for you each night?  Very commendable.  What does she say?”  The child replied “Thank God he’s in bed.” (From the late Gil Boucher, O.M.I.).

Secondly, let us look at the changing papacy. The Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity produced a 146-page document, approved by Pope Francis, “The Bishop of Rome,” on June 13, 2024.  Much of it concerns the responses to St. John Paul II’s offer to all Christians  to see if the pope “may accomplish a service of love recognized by all concerned.”  St. John Paul made this invitation in his encyclical Ut Unum Sint (That All May Be One) of May 25, 1995, #95.

Many responses were received and answered.  This document summarizes them and continues the effort to moderate the papacy so it may be of use to other Christians, both the Eastern Churches not in union with Rome, and the Protestant Churches. When our bishops and theologians met at the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), they completed the process begun at the First Vatican Council (1869-70), to promote collegiality with bishops and the pope acting together.  Then the recent effort of synodality means that every baptized Catholic has a role of leadership to exercise with the clergy.

How to keep the best of the essential role of the pope, along with new responsibilities?  Or to put it another way, as Pope Francis did, quoted in #135 of “The Bishop of Rome:”  “Excessive centralization (of the papacy), rather than proving helpful, complicates the Church’s life and her missionary outreach.” As a true reformer (the third of the five ways of Christianity), Pope Francis is committed to keeping what is essential in the role of the pope, and to reaching out to update the papacy according to the needs of the times.  No wonder he asks us to pray to the Holy Spirit for him! More about this document in the August Five Ways.

Thirdly, when we watch the Olympics, let us praise God for the beauty which ultimately comes from the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There is some controversy regarding what many thought to be an offensive reference to the Last Supper during the July 26 Opening Ceremony. Bishop Robert Barron observed that it is now open season on Christianity (google him for his complete statement).

As the Olympics continue, may see see the miracle of modern technology, enabling us to watch the Olympics on our tv.  Our delight and our ability to enjoy the Olympics is  rooted in God’s power and love which is bestowed on the human race.

In Christ’s love,

Fr. Harry

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