Bulletin of March 31, 2002

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EASTER SUNDAY

Dear Parishioners,

This year I have an entirely new question! Last year in my Easter bulletin I asked the question, "Do you believe in the literal fact of the resurrection of Christ?" I pointed out that the trouble with the question lies in the word "literal". It suggests that the belief of the Christian Church is identical with the belief that the tomb was empty and a resuscitated body was out there walking around. Our Easter belief is not so minimal as a resuscitated cadaver and an empty piece of cemetery property. It goes beyond that to the moment of recognition of a transcendent, risen and living Lord who is mysteriously the same as and yet quite different from the Jesus who strolled the roads of Galilee. The early "eyewitnesses" on the road to Emmaus, although long time followers, walked with him and dined with him but did not recognize him until they realized that "their" hearts were burning. Someone has described the risen Christ as "an arsonist of the heart". Again and again we do not recognize him at first, until we make contact in such a way that "our hearts burn within us." It means that today as Church we need to offer and receive four basic experiences: 1) to welcome and respect people in their situation as they are; 2) to witness concretely to compassion and service; 3) to share our stories of faith in a lively way; and, 4) to offer celebrations of hope.

But my question this year is entirely different: "Do you believe in resurrection?" Since last Easter our country and our Church have suffered death - dealing blows. Do we still believe in resurrection? September 11th witnessed not only the death of 1,000's of innocent and heroic lives, but also a blow to our American society and values from which we are yet to recover. I believe resurrection lies in the direction of care for and pride in our country; compassion for the huge population of earth that lives without the freedom, education and prosperity we enjoy; both the firmness of purpose and restraint of will to wage war on terrorism without permitting, under the label of "collateral damage", the slaughter of innocent people even if they dislike us and disagree with us; and finally, in the face of death and personal loss, faith in a God of lasting life who is with us still.

The Church too, since last Easter, has suffered a deadly wound around the issues of sexual abuse of minors by clergy, the irresponsible handling of it by many church leaders, and the callous neglect of victims. Some, even among Vatican officials, have suggested that overcoverage and generalization by the media is the culprit. Personally, if I have to choose between extensive coverage by the media or silence by the Church, give me the media any day. Here too I believe in resurrection despite the tragic damage to victims and loss of credibility and trust to good, faithful, hardworking Church people. I believe in resurrection, but only if . . . our primary focus and concern be for the victims; perpetrators be held accountable both by Church authorities and the criminal justice system; Church leaders who were clearly well informed and did not act responsibly submit their resignation; and that we be willing to publicly discuss the issues that are by no means the direct cause of abuse, but are by no stretch of the imagination unrelated, for example: mandatory celibacy, homosexuality, the role of women in ministry, and the role of laity in decision making and personnel. Especially in our almost voyeuristic society, confidentiality and privacy should hold an honored place in every one's life, including the life of the Church; but around abuse of minors, criminal activity and irresponsible leadership, silence and denial will never lead to resurrection. It was reassuring to read in the secular press that our own Diocese of Oakland was given high marks for responsible and aggressive dealing with this issue not just recently but for a number of years. (Copies of the Montclarion article are available in the vestibule; today 's foldout invites you to further discussion of these issues.)

This Holy Saturday evening we welcomed 14 adults into our Catholic Christian community by baptism and profession of faith. They are for us clear examples of adults who have experienced both resurrection and Risen Lord in their lives. After month and months of preparation, they make a life-changing decision that gives us all hope. We welcome and support them all.

Your Pastor,
Brian T. Joyce