Put Out Into The Deep - Bishop's Lenten Appeal
Summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily from February 04, 2007
"Put out into deep waters." Luke 5:4
"Duc in Altum," "Launch out into the deep," was one of Pope John Paul II's slogans. He challenged us to reach out to evangelize, like the McLean Bible Church is doing in Arlington. Jesus offered this original challenge in today's Gospel, to Peter. It is easier and safer to cling to the shoreline.
The papers report sailors disappearing mysteriously off the shore of California. Seven fishermen were recently lost without a trace off the coast of Waterford, in Ireland. It does not help that Irish fishermen generally do not swim. Yet this loss was unprecedented. It may be climatic change. They may have been forced by economic necessity, or over-fished waters, to venture out too far. It may just be that the deeper waters contain the biggest fish.
We tend to hug the shore. We can be parochial. The larger work of the institutional church, we leave to others. As Catholics, however, we are not congregational; we believe we are part of a universal church. The structures of our church sometimes restrict us, but they also offer unity, strength, and the capacity to accomplish much more than we can do alone in our parishes. Despite the discomfort and the risk, we are called to reach out beyond our parish boundaries to the larger faith community. One way we extend ourselves is through the ministry of the Diocese of Arlington.
Today's Post reports over 2 million refugees fleeing from Iraq. They are escaping to countries like Jordan. As yet only 500 have come to our shores. When we are implicated in wars, especially wars we have initiated, we take some responsibility for refugees, as we did during the Vietnam War. Who responds to that call in our name? The Office of Resettlement of the Diocese of Arlington has. It has an excellent reputation for the integration of refugees who come to us escaping violence.
In a time when many are emotionally concerned about the influx of immigrants, the question is asked, "Why do they not become citizens?" Hogar Hispano, a program of the diocese offers lawyers who work daily to provide assistance with the complicated task of Naturalization.
We all know the church's opposition to abortion. Yet many question, "What is the church doing to provide women in difficult pregnancies with options?" Since 1945, Children's Services of Catholic Charities has been providing professional social workers to offer support and life-affirming options such as adoption and foster care.
Fr. Jack O'Hara and I have had the privilege of directing Catholic Charities, and in leading our Diocesan Mission in the Dominican Republic. The mission promotes the faith, and responds to basic needs such as health care.
More recently I have been representing Bishop Loverde, as Chair of the Diocesan Peace and Justice Commission in the work of the Virginia Catholic Conference, and the Virginia Interfaith Center. This work enables me to join hands with Jews, Muslims, and other Christians, in advancing the cause of human dignity in many areas, such as a living wage. Our funds come from our diocese.
As priests, we have the ability to join our diocesan mission through direct involvement. Through the Bishop's Lenten Appeal next weekend, ALL of us have the opportunity to participate with our financial pledges. Our parish used to be reluctant with this appeal. Last year we turned our record around and were among the more generous parishes of the diocese. Let us continue to broaden our participation.
Peter was surprised by the miraculous catch of fish. When we launch out into the deep waters of the larger church, may we be equally surprised by God's bounty. Let our banner read, "Duc in Altum."
