There’s plenty of malfeasance among the Catholic clergy, but God has made Holy Mother Church indefectible. We can’t sink this ship. One recalls Cardinal Ercole Consalvi’s moment with Napoleon in 1807. The undefeated emperor assured Pius VII's eminent Secretary of State that he would "destroy the Church." The Cardinal smiled. “Pas du tout, Emperor. Not even we cardinals have been able to do that.” Seventy-nine years after Consalvi's observation, Pope Leo XIII asked all priests to lead a prayer to St. Michael after every Mass. God sends this mighty champion of His angels to protect the Church, and it is St. Michael the Archangel we celebrated yesterday, November 8. We must have every confidence that God will preserve the Sacred Body of His Son, strengthened each day by His Sacred Blood.
We have been created to know, love, and serve God. To know Him is to love Him, and to love Him is to serve Him. But do you know Him?
   People still avoid Jesus, even with all the “meek and mild” paintings of Jesus looking at us from a sentimental face, we know that Jesus Christ is “not a tame lion.” We know that we should regard Him, above all, on the Cross, in bloody agony, suffering the consequences of our greed and hatred. The true Christ frightens us, and many folks simply say “no thanks” to Christianity.
   The Bible tells us that it all began with a woman (which is another reason folks say “no thanks” to our religion!). But Bible goes on to tell us of another woman, Mary, co-redemptrix (co- as in co-pilot) who gently corrected her sister Eve. She corrected Eve by trusting God unconditionally and suffering quietly at the foot of her Son's Cross. The Blessed Mother doesn't blame anyone for the violence that mars her life; she “just wants to heal the wound.”
   Christ’s heart was slashed open on the Cross, pouring forth oceans of mercy. Mary’s heart was pierced as well, but she suffered quietly. We are afraid to look at the bloody gore on the Cross, but we are not afraid to look at the beautiful Mother. If you are afraid to look at God, don’t worry. God has given us a mother to “protect” us from his blazing omnipotence. Pray the rosary, with devotion, and you will surely see the God whom no man can see and live.
   So strive to be a saint. Since we can't sink this ship, let's sail it bravely. We can be sure that our little crew of willing sailors can find a path through the stormiest of seas. Let's all be saints together, focusing our minds on God’s perfect order, and bending our energies to God’s perfect will. All the rest will pass. Happy and blessed New Year!