Summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily from April 29, 2007
"My sheep hear my voice." John 10:27
"My sheep hear my voice." Jn 10:27
"We are your people, the sheep of your flock." Psalm 100:3
"The lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them." Rev 7:14
The scriptures today are full of animal metaphors. Unfortunately in our urban culture, we are not very familiar with sheep. One of our Confirmation candidates recently wrote a testimonial letter to me that also utilized animal metaphors.
"Dear Father Creedon, I want to be confirmed because I want to strengthen my relationship with God. Just like a dog getting adopted, the dog gets a master. To me getting confirmed and getting closer to God, is like getting a master. I look forward to getting confirmed this year and getting rid of my doubts.
Signed,
A 8th grader"
This young girl's view of Confirmation clearly indicates her desire to identify as part of the flock through the Catholic community. She will complete her initiation.
I recently flew to Ireland. I was not wearing my Roman collar. My companion on the journey was an attractive young woman with freckles and red hair. Along the way she asked me, "What do you do?" I answered, "I am a priest." She added, "What variety?" I replied, "Roman Catholic." She reacted, "I am a recovering Roman Catholic myself." I bit my tongue, wanting to say "Well, recovering alcoholics are still alcoholics!" There is something indelible about our Catholic identity.
I recently met a man who wanted to have his marriage of 30 years blessed in Ireland. I asked, "Is there a reason for your preference?" He responded, "My wife and I fell in love with a beautiful chapel in Kenmare and we will celebrate our anniversary there, especially since we were never married in the church." All the priest there needs is a letter. He freely confessed that he had not been in church in years and had no great intentions of making a return. I could have been legalistic and hesitated about the letter. I'm glad I paused long enough to ask him to tell his story. He was Jesuit educated all the way through college. He married young before a priest. She left him after two years for another. Remarriage to his Protestant wife in the Catholic Church was impossible. When he wanted to baptize a child in the Catholic Church in Chicago, a secretary advised him that he was excommunicated. Another priest along the way was even more explicit, "You are living in sin."
Now, there was no legal obstacle for me to sign a letter to have his marriage blessed and validated by the Catholic Church, because he produced a copy of his first wife's death certificate. I took the opportunity to advise him that the canonists today would properly consider his current marriage, "an irregular marriage", and would not use the language of sin or excommunication. However many of our parish secretaries and clergy may not be updated on their Canon Law. So I apologized to him in the name of our Catholic institution, for the hurt caused. He relaxed a little and shared that he must admit this blessing will bring great happiness to his 90 year old mother in Vermont and to an old friend out in Wisconsin named Murphy, who has been praying for years for his return to the fold. He suggested that his wife was also very supportive. I told him about our Landings program for inactive Catholics and the RCIA program for those seeking a church and an update on the Catholic faith. I would not be at all surprised if the romantic surrounds of the chapel in Kenmare may stir into flame not only the love of his life but also the nascent faith that still burned in the embers, that no rejections or judgments could quench. We Catholics have a brand that stays with us regardless.
In this Easter season, let us join our newly confirmed youth in a renewed assertion of our identity as Catholic Christians, "We are your people, the sheep of your flock!"
The above mentioned gentleman's experience was repeated here with his permission.