While considering Jesus’ warning about “whoever blasphemes #against the Holy Spirit, ”, does the majority of priests in the Diocese of Amarillo who chose not to concelebrate the Respect Life Mass with Bishop Zurek last Saturday, and the assignment changes he announced afterwards, have anything to do with Bishop Zurek’s “A Reflection on Christian Life“, where he stated that I, as one of “a few” “restless” souls who made “infamous accusations” against him, had allowed the secular influence to dominate my life and hence my light had dimmed❓
Gospel
The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus,
“He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and
“By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables,
“How can Satan drive out Satan?
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
And if a house is divided against itself,
that house will not be able to stand.
And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided,
he cannot stand;
that is the end of him.
But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property
unless he first ties up the strong man.
Then he can plunder his house.
Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies
that people utter will be forgiven them.
But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will never have forgiveness,
but is guilty of an everlasting sin.”
For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
Lectio Divina Reflection on “against“
Against the backdrop of Saint Angela Merici’s Memorial, I find myself reflecting on the many struggles of faith and human weakness. For centuries, saints have stood against injustice and apathy, urging the faithful to embrace transformative grace. Yet, today I wonder if my actions to speak against what I believe are wrongs in the Church align with the courage of saints or if they risk aligning against the spirit of humility and unity that Christ calls us to embody. Can I find the strength to act with both conviction and compassion, knowing that rejoicing in the Lord must remain my strength❓
The Church calls us to proclaim the Good News against all forces of sin and division in the world. Still, when division comes from within, how do I act without becoming part of what fractures the Body of Christ❓ Bishop Zurek’s assertion that secular influence dims the light of restless souls like mine weighs heavily against my conscience. Are my efforts to illuminate wrongdoing in the Church truly inspired by the Spirit, or are they tainted by my human frailty❓ “Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life,” and I pray they guide my steps to discern truth against falsehood.
peace, against Creation, against indigenous peoples, migrants, children, women, and those who
are poor, in our failure to listen and to seek communion.
The interconnectedness of creation reflects the unity God desires for humanity, yet we stand against this divine vision when we exploit the earth or one another. Pope Francis’ urgent call to address ecological and social crises is also a call against indifference. Similarly, the livestock guardian dogs at “The Glenn” instinctively protect their charge against harm, reminding me that vigilance is a sacred duty. “For in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body,” but can I reconcile my defense of the Church’s integrity with the call to build up rather than tear down❓
Does the majority of priests in the Diocese of Amarillo who chose not to concelebrate the Respect Life Mass with Bishop Zurek last Saturday, and the assignment changes he announced afterwards, have anything to do with Bishop Zurek’s A Reflection on Christian Life❓ In that reflection, he claimed I, as one of “a few” “restless” souls who made “infamous accusations” against him, had allowed secular influence to dominate my life and dim my light. Against such claims, I wrestle with how to uphold justice while resisting the temptation to act in anger or pride. “The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, and to proclaim liberty to captives,” but I ask myself if my actions truly embody this call.
Amidst these questions, I am drawn to Christ’s warning against hypocrisy and the ultimate betrayal of the Spirit. How do I remain steadfast in speaking against injustice while guarding my heart against bitterness❓ In seeking to protect the integrity of the Church, I must also ensure I do not act against the unity of faith or the truth of the Gospel. Have my accusations, however well-intentioned, crossed a line where I risk turning “against” the Spirit of God❓ For Jesus reminds us,…
He spoke in similar terms to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations about the potential for an “ecological catastrophe under the effective explosion of industrial civilization”, and stressed “the urgent need for a radical change in the conduct of humanity”, inasmuch as “the most extraordinary scientific advances, the most amazing technical abilities, the most astonishing economic growth, unless they are accompanied by authentic social and moral progress, will definitively turn against man”.[3]
FROM PARAGRAPH 4 of ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME