Friday of 25th Week OT
Deacon Albert
St. John the Evangelist Cathedral
“Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Does it not seem like nothing in your eyes?” There are some who look back on the “glory days” of the Church and the Church of today pales in comparison, it looks much worse off. Perhaps they lament the change in membership, in liturgy, in style or in some other way. But our Lord tells us today “take courage” because the whole world, and especially the Church are in His hands. His providence directs all things.
This may seem like a confusing time in the Church. Pope Francis is causing confusion, or so many people have said. There are many who like the Pope for the wrong reasons. There are many who like him for the right reasons. There are many who dislike the Pope for the wrong reasons. And there are many who have legitimate concerns. Whatever the case, we have to have faith. Perhaps we ask “Who do people say Pope Francis is?” Some say a liberal, others say a radical. Still others call him a reformer… but you, who do you say that Pope Francis is? He is the Vicar of Christ, the leader of the Church, built upon the rock and against which the Gates of Hell shall not prevail
The Church, the Pope, each of us must follow Christ and that means carrying the Cross. That Cross can take many forms, but whatever cross the Pope may have to carry, whatever cross the Church may have to carry, whatever cross you may have to carry, we cannot forget that the Cross leads to the resurrection. So in faith we know that, some way, some how “greater will be the future glory of this house than the former.”