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November 5, 2023XXXI Sunday (2023)
The word of God that we have heard presents us with a strong rebuke aimed at the leaders of the people. The prophet Malachi and Jesus in the Gospel have very harsh words about the behavior of leaders, Levites, and other authorities. This is not a generic complaint against leaders but an accurate accusation.
Why did the prophet in the Old Testament and Jesus in the Gospel use such harsh words to recall the leaders to their mission?
The Lord rebukes them because they look after their interests and not those of God (which is our salvation). Because they do not care about the flock but about their own affairs. Jesus' rebuke is powerful because the task of leaders (like a priest) is essential and must never be neglected.
In the synod of bishops celebrated in Rome recently and in which I had the grace of participating to represent all the Latin bishops of the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula, the role of the bishops, priests and deacons, consecrated people, and the lay faithful, was strongly considered.
The synod often talked about a trend that we can find in our churches: clericalism. This word indicates an attitude of power that can infiltrate all leaders (also outside the Church). We become clerical in a negative sense when, instead of serving the people of God instead of serving the Church, we close in on ourselves and only want to demonstrate our power over others.
Of course, this problem can occur particularly among those with a specific responsibility, but in reality, it is a temptation that we all can have.
In the Gospel, Jesus calls us to be humble and to serve our brothers and sisters. We betray our Christian vocation when, instead of being humble and open, we become closed and arrogant and want to impose our interests and projects on others.
This temptation can creep into all relationships, in the family, communities, groups, and associations. It is the temptation to dominate others and seek one's interests. When we want to have control over others and do not serve them with love, we become clerical, even if we are not priests.
The Synod of Bishops, celebrated in Rome in October, suggested synodality in the Church as a remedy to this danger. The invitation is to walk together as holy and faithful people, children of God, baptized in Christ. In fact, being baptized means actively participating in the life of the Church and society through collaboration and co-responsibility, each according to their own charism and specific mission.
From this perspective, we must remember, as Jesus suggests in the Gospel, that we are all children of God, and among us, we are brothers and sisters. God is the father of all, and Jesus is our only teacher.
No one should have attitudes of superiority and arrogance towards others because we are all brothers and sisters. In the Christian community, there are different tasks and responsibilities, but we are all baptized and must be active in the life of the Church.
As people of God and brothers and sisters among us, priests and consecrated persons also have a specific task to carry out for the good of the whole Church. A priest must not, first of all, communicate to you his idea or opinion about God but the thought of Christ, the grace of Jesus, and the mercy of God for your salvation.
We find the most beautiful example in the words of Saint Paul that we have heard: he is happy not to be exalted by the faithful or to dominate over others but because the faithful have accepted his words, which transmitted the word of God. Saint Paul's desire was nothing other than this: to bring to everyone the word of the Lord, which saves and renews our lives.
In conclusion, I ask you to pray for your priests so that they may be servants of your joy and support you in your life of faith. Pray for consecrated people so that they may be faithful to their vocation and bear witness to the good life of the Gospel so that they are an example for you to imitate and follow.
Finally, as I wrote in my recent pastoral letter, I invite you to rediscover your baptism, rediscover the grace of being members of the body of Christ, and this awareness makes us all co-responsible for the life of our Church so that the people of God shine before the world for the joy of being children of God.
