Sunday 5 February 2023

Father Ignatius addresses his congregation

 

Father Ignatius was well aware of his responsibilities as a priest. He believed that every one like him, priest, vicar or pastor had a special responsibility towards God to lead as many lost sheep as possible into Heaven. It is no use being a "good" shepherd if no one follows you and are devoured by the wolves.

He noticed that day in day out his parishioners behaved in "real life" totally differently from what they were expected to do as Christians or as they purported to do. It is one thing to turn out to Church every Sunday and look saintly, and take Communion even, when moments later when they have left Mass they would shame Jesus Himself by their behaviour. He particularly noticed this during weekly Confessions when the same sins were repeated as a litany with little if any apparent remorse or intention to stop committing them. So he decided to tackle the matter head on.

On Sunday, he approached the lectern and said, "In today's Gospel of John Chapter 8 we read about the woman caught in adultery and the scribes and Pharisees brought her to Jesus to see whether He would agree to her being stoned to death according to the law. As you know, Jesus said let him who has not sinned throw the first stone.

"When everyone had gone Jesus said to the woman that He does not condemn her and forgave her sins; and He also added go and sin no more.

"Now this is important. Jesus did not mean do not sin any sin whatsoever ever more. He knew that as a human, she is bound to sin again. We all sin again and often. What Jesus meant is do not sin this particular sin again because it is serious enough to get you in trouble with the authorities as well as with God Himself.

"Jesus calls us to an alternative lifestyle of holiness; to go, and from now on sin no more.

"There is really no point in going to Church every Sunday and partake in the Sacraments of Confession and Communion only to wait until the Mass is over and then leave to disseminate amongst society and realign yourselves with the current prevailing morality.

"If you are going to behave like all those who do not go to Church and who do not believe what you believe then what is the point of going to Church? Are you just fooling me? Or fooling yourselves and your families and friends? Because I know for sure you are not fooling God.

"It is my responsibility as your priest to guide as many of you to Heaven as possible. Ideally, I would like to meet all of you in Paradise one day. I know that when I meet Jesus He will ask me how many people I have managed to bring to Heaven. It is no point being a shepherd and feeding the wolves.

"So please can you make my task a little easier by at least trying to live a Christian life as Jesus would want you to.

"Being a Christian is not a badge or a title; it is a way of life. A way of life in preparation for the next life in eternity. A difficult life it may well be; but the retirement package is well worth striving for."

23 comments:

  1. ...many can talk the talk, don't walk the walk.

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  2. Amen, Victor! May we all walk the walk, faithfully in love and forgiveness.
    Blessings!

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  3. Amen! Each week I strive to leave the sanctuary with a clean heart -- but before the day is out, when 'someone' is behaving in a surly, cross manner I find myself reacting in kind.

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    1. It's only natural ... it happens to me too when another Christian in church parks his car in such a way that he blocks me in. Or when that woman in the choir screeches like a demented cat. Or when I fall asleep during the sermon and get woken up by an elbow in the ribs.

      God bless, Mevely.

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  4. So many people forget that Jesus told her to go and sin no more!!
    Great. post!!

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    1. Yes indeed, Happyone. They so easily forget.

      God bless you.

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  5. I hope you've enjoyed a happy Sunday.

    All the best Jan

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  6. Stay on the path and if you slip just get up and continue on, we are humans after all.

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    1. Great and sensible advice, Bill. Thank you.

      God bless.

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  7. Excellent point. It's no use saying you are one thing and behaving like something else.

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    1. A lot of people do, Mimi. It has always been so.

      God bless.

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  8. Dearest Victor,
    Oh, love the retirement package in the END!
    And it is the truth—our final destination and BEST care for our soul.
    Well written.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  9. Love the logic and care you allow the good Father. Always appreciate his insights and ability to show and be an example of his Lord.
    Smiling with you in HIS Love.
    Sherry & jack

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    1. So glad to see you back visiting here, Jack. Thank you so much for your kindness to me.

      God bless you and Sherry.

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