Emmaus Walk / Debra Tomaselli

More bad news: What do we do? Stand strong and pray

“I am disgusted with the Catholic Church,” I said. I laid the newspaper down as I finished reading yet another report of sexual abuse by priests.

Strong words for someone who loves Catholicism. Someone who embraces Christ present in the Eucharist. Our universal Church. Our apostolic succession.

But now … again … more ugly reports? What’s going on?

I shuddered. Maybe the critics are right. Maybe I should leave the Church. How can I remain with an organization where some of its leaders did such horrific things?

I’m tormented. Confused. Angry. I want to run … away.

But where would I go?

There are so many things I love about the Catholic faith. I love the Mass and the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. I love that Catholicism is universal … worldwide. I love that it’s an apostolic Church, with roots in Jesus.

I love praying the mysteries of the rosary, the Stations of the Cross, and the Liturgy of the Hours. These devotions are empowering. They draw Christ into my life.

Could I really leave all that?

My shoulders slumped.

“Do you want to pray the rosary?” my husband asked.

“Yes,” I said. I reached for my beads.

We prayed for the Catholic Church. We prayed for the abusers, the abused, the enablers. We also prayed for the good and holy priests and bishops. We prayed for all lay people, for we are the Church.

Afterward, I turned my thoughts to God himself. What should I do? Where is this going? What do you want from me?

Answers came.

Suddenly, I thought, “We are not much different than the early Church.”

One of the leaders of the early Church, indeed, one of the 12 disciples chosen by Jesus, did something horrific. He handed Jesus over to be crucified. He intentionally had Jesus killed in a vulgar and ugly manner. The innocent lamb was slain.

And please, let’s remember that the 11 remaining Apostles weren’t perfect either. Peter, James and John fell asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter denied Christ three times, and while John and Mary were at the foot of the cross, nobody else was.

Judas hanged himself. Jesus was crucified.

The remaining Apostles must have been lost. Now what?

They must have felt like I do today. Disgusted. Defeated. Deceived.

I’m out of here.

Ready to give up. Wanting to leave.

But listen: Here’s what they did.

They huddled together in the Upper Room, fearful, behind locked doors. They prayed … and their prayer had powerful effects.

Jesus appeared to them. And again, urging doubting Thomas to believe. Later, the Holy Spirit appeared to them, filling them with courage to go forth and preach the good news.

What looked like the end of the Church was really just a beginning.

I’m glad the remaining disciples, angry, confused and discouraged as they must have been, didn’t walk away.

I’m thankful for the Catholic Church and what it means to me.

Let’s not leave. Let’s right the wrongs. Let’s stand strong. Let’s pray.

Others are counting on us.

Lord, have mercy.
 

(Debra Tomaselli writes from Altamonte Springs, Florida. She can be reached at dtomaselli@cfl.rr.com.) †