March 5, 2010
The Bishop's Forum
Strategic Planning Process — Re-energizing our diocese in the faith
by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger
Third of a series: Sacramental and Liturgical life
Part 2: The Sacraments and family
Many years ago while I was a member of the National Conference of Christians and Jews in Indianapolis, a very devoted Jewish man said to me: “I wish I could believe as you Catholics do!” He was struggling with the issues of Resurrection of the Body and Eternal Life. My heart ached for him but then . . .
. . . I recalled that I am a cradle Catholic. My parents made it possible for me to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confession, Holy Communion, Confirmation and the three Holy Orders of Deacon, Priest and Bishop. They participated in preparing me for the totally unearned gift of Faith. I did not have to work hard to receive it, yet I daily work hard to live up to such an awesome gift, that gift of Faith!
Faith took roots in my being as did my understanding of the importance of family in my life, the first community into which I was born and came to know and love. They are my first supporters as captured by the nine gold stars in the center of my coat of arms.
When I was baptized I was adopted as a brother of Jesus.
In confession, I learned that my offenses were forgiven not only by Jesus, but was also reassured that my brothers and sisters in the Church forgave me as well no matter how “private” was my sin.
In receiving Holy Communion, I shared the Body and Blood of Jesus at the common table of the altar similar to sharing the thanksgiving dinner of family or a threshing dinner of neighbors at home. I was part of the same larger family. I belonged to a community greater than my birth family. As I ate at the family table, I grew in strength the same as I did at the table of communion. Jesus was my food as surely as the meat and potatoes at home.
In Confirmation I was assured that Jesus had kept His promise to me as He did with the Apostles and disciples in giving them the seven-fold gifts of the Holy Spirit. I did not understand that at the time as I was seven years old. Over the years of maturing and adulthood, with the gifts of the Spirit, I have come to appreciate how I am called to share my gifts with the community of believers as each of them is called to do the same. We are family!
Then came the Confirmation challenge. Was I willing to listen to God’s call to a vocation as a priest? It is the same challenge I give to all the Confirmation classes. I was fortunate. Through a boyhood whim and encouragement from Benedictine Sister Mary Phillip Seib and Father Earl Feltman, my pastor in 1949, and also my peers, I entered the seminary in September of that year. The rest is history as I had 12 years to discern that call which turned out to be three-fold: deacon, priest and bishop. That journey made it clear for me that I belonged to a very large community of believers.
The Sacraments of the Church, instituted by Jesus Himself bring us together as a family of believers — each of us sharing not only our gifts but the very persons we are: brothers and sisters of Jesus!
What is the history of your journey in Faith? When did you come to understand that the Church is greater than your family? Have you embraced that reality by which you were endowed in Baptism? Strengthed by Confirmation?
Brothers and sisters, faith alone is the driving force that helps me daily to understand the gift that the community of believers is alive. I hope it is yours too!
Next week: The Sacramental and Liturgical life Part 3