This morning, I heard some parishioners grumbling. They were frustrated that some clergy have perpetrated heinous acts against children & vulnerable adults—and now parishioners are being punished by having to jump through flaming hoops (including attending “irrelevant” safe environment classes) just for the privilege of volunteering, when it should be the clergy who need the training.

On the surface, this seems ridiculous.

Except there are several problems with this narrative. Let’s explore them.

1. It hasn’t only been clergy who have perpetrated these crimes in the Catholic Church (along with virtually every denomination). Youth group leaders, religious education instructors, maintenance workers, teachers, and others have been convicted. And these crimes have taken place all over church properties.
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This weekend, the first line of the first reading carries profound power.

“If you choose, you can keep the commandments, they will save you…”

We try so many different ways to be fulfilled. We keep thinking we’ve figured out what will do it.

Marriage.
Having children.
Children finally moving out.
Divorce.
Weight loss.
Becoming more attractive.
A bigger paycheck.
A bigger home.
Retirement.
A dream vacation.
Recognition.

But nothing seems to help the joy stick. And we don’t want to hear about the Faith. Because it couldn’t possibly be faith that would be the answer to what we are searching for.

This Sunday’s Gospel is amazing, encouraging, and challenging!

“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

Salt—without its saltiness—has no point.

What did God give you another day for? How will your unique combination of experience, gifts, talents, and wisdom be used? Ask Him to make you alert for the moments and tasks you need to prioritize.

If you miss it, you are just living out the hours till your next sleep and you have no point.

In this weekend’s Gospel, found in the second chapter of Luke, we read of Mary and Joseph bringing baby Jesus back to the temple in Jerusalem after 40 days.

For the presentation, families were to bring a lamb for sacrifice. If they could not afford a lamb, they could bring two turtle doves or pigeons.

We learn here that the Holy Family brought the birds. This reveals the poverty of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. They certainly would’ve purchased a lamb if they were able. They couldn’t. They didn’t have the means.

We’ve often talked about the beautiful humility of our Lord and Savior being born in a cave. Of Jesus taking on the messiness of humanity. Of Jesus allowing himself to be put on trial. Of Jesus allowing humanity to torture him.