Breaking Open the Word - 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C
32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C - November 6th, 2022
The Gospel this Sunday was an excellent way to open National Vocations Awareness week, as it provides part of the Scriptural basis for the consecrated life. In response to the Sadducees’ attempts to “bait” Him with a deliberately absurd scenario about marriage and the afterlife, Jesus turns their question on its head. The reality of the “age to come and the future resurrection” is something totally different than His opponents’ worldly conception of it: in Heaven, “they neither marry nor are given in marriage.” Holy Matrimony, like all the other Sacraments, is a sign of a future reality – the marriage of Christ and the Church. And when the reality appears, the sign will pass away. But what does this mean for those who are called to marriage? Will their special and sacred bond on earth simply disappear in Heaven? Not at all! Rather, it will be perfected as they both participate in the Marriage Feast of the Lamb, as members of His Bride, the Church. In eternity, the Saints know and are united with one another more deeply than we on earth can even fathom.
However, some are called by God to anticipate this Heavenly life here on earth, by giving up the natural good of marriage. This vocation is, of course, that of the consecrated life. Have you ever wondered why religious life is not a Sacrament? The reason is simple: the Sacraments are signs of the Heavenly kingdom, while consecration is the reality of Heavenly life, begun here on earth. As such, while all the Sacraments will ultimately pass away, religious life will endure even in Heaven – because there, every soul is totally consecrated to God! In her documents on the subject, Holy Mother Church emphasizes again and again that the religious is called to be a witness to life in the Kingdom, a living sign that there is more to life than our brief span on this earth. Why else would a happy, healthy, beautiful young person choose to forsake the natural goods of marriage, possessions, and personal autonomy? The religious woman, in particular, is a shining image of the Church as Bride. She is to reveal in her very person what the Church is in Heaven and should be on earth: the spotless Spouse of the spotless Lamb.
Even those who know very little about consecrated life tend to intuit this truth. The sight of a Sister in full habit immediately reminds people of God and of the Church, often provoking strong reactions – either positive or negative! When a religious or a priest fails to manifest the holiness and love of Christ, the effect is far more damaging than if a lay person had done the same thing. The terrible clerical abuse scandals of the past 20 years are sobering evidence of this. Such abuse may occur at a much higher rate elsewhere in society, but even secular culture recognizes that the Church should be held to a higher standard. “To whom much has been given,” warns Our Lord, “of them much shall be expected.” On the flip side, when a consecrated person strives to live his or her vocation generously, that person’s very presence can be a witness that leads people to Christ. One need think only of St. Mother Teresa for proof of this reality.
So what does all this mean for you, our blog readers? Some of you may be discerning a call to the consecrated life, whether priestly, religious, or lay – if so, we encourage you to move forward courageously! You have nothing to lose in exploring this beautiful life, and your experiences in discernment will enrich your life, wherever the Lord ultimately leads you. Others may be married or discerning marriage – we ask you, too, to embrace your vocation wholeheartedly! The Church desperately needs holy spouses and families to transform the world and to help one another on the road to Heaven. And we as religious need you in a special way, since your Sacramental bond reveals to us the love that we should have for our Heavenly Bridegroom! And some of you may not be sure yet where God is calling you – and we assure you that the Lord most certainly has a beautiful plan for your life. As you strive to fulfill His Will in the events of daily life, He will slowly reveal that plan to you – so “be not afraid! Open, open wide the doors to Christ!”
Finally, whatever your state in life, we ask you to pray for us, and for all priests and religious, that we may fulfill our vocation with as much love as we possibly can, in service to God – and to each one of you!