This is not a time for the church to act holier-than-thou. Reason: the sexual abuse scandal rocking the Roman Catholic Church, but let us add that Protestants have reasons for our own “mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.” The horror of sin is shocking.
“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name” (1 Peter 4:14-16).
Peter’s words make me think of the faithful who are suffering because of the sins of others, faithful followers of Jesus who have not sinned so egregiously, who are repentant in their daily lives, but in the opinion of many are guilty because they, we, still associate with the Church. Cathy Pressimone of St. Louis places our feelings at the cross.
“Last week, our pastor began his homily by saying it was the hardest homily that he’s had to give in the 42 years of his priesthood. He went on to say he was ashamed, disgusted, angry, frustrated… His list of emotions was exhaustive…. The lines from the Our Father hammered in my head, ‘Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.’
“Jesus knew this sin would happen. It was counted in the stripes he received on his back at his scourging. It was counted in the thorns driven deeply into his scalp. It was counted in the strokes of the hammer, driving the nails into his hands and feet. He anticipated the anguished victims in his plaintive, desperate cry, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’
“Though my anger and frustration and sadness are not assuaged and I cry for justice in my time, I still believe in Jesus, His Church and the eternal love, mercy and justice of the Creator.” Thank you, Cathy. Said Martin Luther, “The cross alone is our theology.”
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