August Homilies:
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| Background: The story of Peter’s loss of nerve is clearly part of the very powerful demythologization of Peter. It was widely known among his contemporaries that Peter was the boss, the one in charge, the one to whom others looked for strength and direction. However, Peter was not the Master, but only a poor substitute for him. Perhaps, like all humans he needed to be reminded of his human limitations, whether he wanted it or not. So it is with all the many and varied successors to the throne of the fisherman. No matter how brilliant, no matter how holy, no matter how close to God, they are not Jesus but only his human representatives.
We honor them and revere them, but we do not worship them and do not confuse
them with God or Jesus. The same for all church leaders, even Cardinals. |
Fr. Greeley's Last Book: |
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Story: One time a very important Cardinal and his aged auxiliary bishop were visiting a town in the West of Ireland. They left their cards at the house of the local bishop out of respect. Within the hour they were invited over for high tea (supper to you yanks). You gotta watch these fellas, said the Cardinal to his helper. Some of them think they’re His Holiness in their own diocese. Well, a drop was served before tea and they adjourned to the dining room. The local man took charge of the conversation from the very beginning and dominated it. All discussion flowed to him and out from him. No one was given a chance to talk to anyone else. The poor Cardinal, who was used himself to having a few words to say over the supper table was treated with the same reverential respect paid to the lowest curate at the far end of the table – which is to say none at all. The auxiliary turned off his hearing aid. The food incidentally was terrible. Finally at the end, after the last stale sweet, the visitors from the table. Their host thanked them for dropping in. The old auxiliary, hearing aid still turned off, said at the top of his voice, “You were wrong Cardinal. He doesn’t think he’s Pope. He figures he’s a lot higher than that.”
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Psalm ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
R/ (2b) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. R/ My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, For your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you. R/ My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name. As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. R/ My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me. R/ My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
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Catholics and the Struggle with Their Church The survey of the archdiocese, which Father Greeley describes as "a very complicated place" demographically, asks some difficult questions, and finds some interesting truths.  Editorial
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