The word Advent literally means coming. In this Christmas season, there is this genuine anticipation and joy, in pondering Jesus’ birth. We have the real opportunity to personally examine Jesus’ presence in our own lives. What are those specific traits of Jesus, that draw us closer to Him? In fact, it is in these specific traits where Jesus’ own presence shines out to us.

In contrast to Jesus’ genuine presence to us, we find that the Catholic Church’s hierarchical presence is actually not always mirroring Jesus’ own ministry of truth, inclusion, and love. This obviously presents a huge chasm to the laity of this church. So many former Catholics have left the church for good. Whether it is young men or women, or Catholics of all ages, they simply are tired of being lied toby this Church’s hierarchy. What would Jesus do?

Why is it alright for this hierarchy to continually ignore their own Church’s early history of Women Bishops, Deacons, and Priests? Back in 1976, The Pontifical Biblical Commission stated, “there is no Biblical reason to prohibit Women’s Ordination.” Then why some forty-six years later in 2022, hasn’t this been made a reality yet? When the Pope’s own commission can not even follow their own conclusions then indeed, there is no plausible reason, for their continued apathy of inaction on this issue. What would Jesus do?

 For those of us who still love our Church, how can we ever hope for meaningful change to ever be enacted? The answer comes from Vatican II, Chapter IV, # 37.

In so many words we the Laity can “speak out on things which pertain to the good of the Church.” Truly, until the hierarchy is held accountable for its inaction, nothing will change. Just as Jesus questioned the religious authority of His time, we need to follow His own action, with our religious leaders now. What would Jesus do?

Merry Christmas!

To learn more about this topic, be sure to opt-in for a chapter of the book, Scandal in the Shadows. Click the image to the right.