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Recurring Columnists (From Sunday February 3,2008 Pastor's Page)
Back to the Bulletin The bulletin is meant to be the means of Parish communication. People do read it! It is also meant to be a way of enriching and challenging our faith. There are usually three or four articles in each week’s bulletin. These articles are sometimes a tad controversial and may challenge your way of thinking on different topics. What you find in them is meant to give you a break from me and the other priests and deacons whom you hear so often. I don’t necessarily agree with everything our guest columnists write, but I would say that they are a 99% solid expression of Christian teaching.
Let me share some thoughts on each columnist:
1. HomeTouch is a basic Scripture sharing, published by a conservative Protestant organization. It is aimed toward Seniors. 2. Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, is a Catholic priest and member of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He is, in my judgment, one of the finest American theologians. His articles are profound psychologically, scripturally and theologically. One reading is never enough. Many people save his articles they are so deep, faith filled and brilliant. Nothing but the best for the Holy People of Ss. Cyril and Methodius. 3. Sunday Scripture Sharing is written by Claretian Fr. Ron Luka, a retired priest. His excellent commentaries on the Gospel come from a Peace and Justice point of view, very common in the Vatican II brand of priests from the 60’s and 70’s ~ AHEM! Fr. Luka calls a spade a spade and he will sometimes offend and upset readers.
What Fr. Luka, Fr. Rolheiser and HomeTouch write is NOT the Gospel. I do not agree with everything they write. I know that these people are very devoted Christians and love the Lord Jesus very much.
Theology
Remember, as preachers and teachers, we are not called to simply quote the Bible or the Catechism line for line. That is NOT theology. Theology tries to present the Faith as personal, living and honest reaction to the Word of God or the Teaching of the Faith. Do theologians sometimes go a bit too far? Of course, they do. But we would never have the magnificent splendor of Catholic teaching that we have today without some theologians pushing too far too fast.
It’s interesting that the Church takes generations to catch up with the wisdom of theologians. Often they are condemned, but before they die they’re made cardinals!
Martin Luther
Martin Luther is considered by many to be the hidden theologian of Vatican II because many of the things he proposed in the sixteenth century and which were condemned then, are in the documents of Vatican II and are considered “old hat.”
I really hope that reading our Bulletin will cause all of us to think a bit. Isn’t it wonderful for Catholics to find their faith exciting and interesting? That’s what it should because it’s the best news the world have ever heard. So take it all with a grain of salt and please know that I’m always happy to speak with you about any point of Faith and Teaching. When it comes to articles in the bulletin, sermons, talks, etc., the old maxim holds true: “This station should not be held responsible for the opinions stated by guest columnists.”
So my dear parishioners, it is with pride and great love of our parish and church that I present this Sunday’s bulletin, and I especially urge you to read the Scripture Page ~ Page One. In as much as the other commentators help, thank God! If they don’t, then ignore them. In all things we aim to hold up the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Amen!
In Jesus’ love,
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