Dear St. Rita Families,

            “Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a man” (Mt 15:19-20). And yet, we condemn and murder each other for so much less. It is not that we ought to condemn and murder each other for the above failings, either, though by them we condemn ourselves. The only way out of this condemnation is repentance. This, then, is the path to healing.

And it is required on both sides of the political spectrum. The fallacy that politics can save us – this movement or party, or that one – is one of the myriad forms of pride. We can do this on our own. Religion is a tool, perhaps, for political gain or for world peace, but certainly not the just response of man to God, nor the carrier of infallible Truth and Divine Revelation, nor the only path of man to God, nor (most definitely not) necessary for all men without exception. 

There is a chilling passage from the book of Revelation: “The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot either see or hear or walk; nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their immorality or their thefts” (9:20-21). One might think that the rash of violence we have seen in our country over the last several weeks would be a wake-up call, and it is somewhat heartening to see some commentators pause and say, “Whoa. Something is really wrong.”

Yes. And the thing that is wrong is the only thing that has always been wrong: sin. 

Not Republicans or Democrats or Socialists or Libertarians or Joe Biden or Donald Trump or Russia or China or Ukraine or anyone else. Sin is the thing that is wrong. And if any of these people or their citizens or members have committed sin, then their sin was wrong. But the wrong is always sin. And that means that the answer – the path forward – is never sin, because sin is always wrong. The path forward is repentance.

“Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a man.” And the next line? “But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” Our Lord’s fundamental point here is about the Mosaic Law, which required that washing of hands for ritual cleansing. That Law is brought to fulfillment in Christ, who asks us not necessarily to wash our hands before we eat, but to cleanse our souls before receiving Holy Communion. And this is the crux: cleansing the soul. 

The only way for the soul of this great Nation to be cleansed is for the souls of her people to be cleansed. The only way for the souls of her people to be cleansed is for them to repent. “But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent?” (Rom 10:14-15). I have believed for a long time that we need more missionaries than soldiers, more missionaries than politicians, more missionaries than businessmen. While there is a place in society for these men and women, if society is reduced to the earthly, we lose sight of Him who actually gives peace, joy, and fulfillment. 

I have been glad for this reason that Pope Leo has reminded us of the missionary vocation of the entire Church. Our Lord Himself tells us that “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:37-38). We must pray for this intention, especially if we want any growth or change in our country! In addition to praying, we must likewise answer the call and be generous when He calls someone in our family. This call is not just to priesthood or religious life, but also to apostolic work as lay people. My primary goal as a Christian is the salvation of my own soul and that of all those around me.

So, the challenge is this: Talk to people about the peace you have found in Christ. Talk to them about the way it has made you more humble, more open, more understanding of suffering, because Christ has been this way with you. Talk to them about how you were convicted of sin and driven to repentance. Talk to them about the joy of forgiveness and how worth it it is to face the shame and allow Christ to heal it. Talk to them about the consolation and strength you receive when you come to Church and especially when you are united to Him in Holy Communion. Invite them to find healing from the “evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander,” and whatever else might be there. 

Now is an important moment, because people are perhaps more open to hearing a legitimate path forward at this time, when we are all shaken by recent events. You never know whose soul you might save.

In Christ,

Fr. Christensen