The first reading from today’s Mass is Paul’s farewell speech to the presbyters (priests) of the early Church. Here is a skilled bishop and pastor exhorting others who have pastoral roles within the Church. Let’s take a look at this text and apply its wisdom to bishops and priests as well as to parents and other leaders in the Church.
Paul’s Farewell Sermon – The scene is Miletus, a town in Asia Minor on the coast not far from Ephesus. Paul, who is about to depart for Jerusalem, summons the presbyters of the early Church at Ephesus. Paul has ministered there for three years and now summons the priests for this final exhortation. In the sermon, St. Paul cites his own example of having been a zealous teacher of the faith who did not fail to preach the “whole counsel of God.” He did not merely preach what suited him or made him popular; he preached it all. To these early priests, Paul leaves this legacy and would have them follow in his footsteps. Let’s look at excerpts from this final exhortation.
From Miletus Paul had the presbyters of the Church at Ephesus summoned. When they came to him, he addressed them, “You know how I lived among you the whole time from the day I first came to the province of Asia. I served the Lord with all humility and with the tears and trials that came to me … and I did not at all shrink from telling you what was for your benefit, or from teaching you in public or in your homes. I earnestly bore witness for both Jews and Greeks to repentance before God and to faith in our Lord Jesus … But now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem … But now I know that none of you to whom I preached the kingdom during my travels will ever see my face again. And so I solemnly declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God (Acts 20:1-38, selected).
Here, then, is the prescription for every bishop, priest, deacon, catechist, parent, and Catholic: preach the whole counsel (the entire plan) of God. It is too easy for us to emphasize only that which pleases us, or makes sense to us, or fits in with our world view. There are some who eagerly receive the Lord’s sermons on love, but cannot abide His teachings on death, judgment, Heaven, and Hell. Some love to discuss liturgy and ceremony, but not the care of the poor. Others point to the Lord’s compassion, but neglect His call to repentance. Some love the way He dispatches the Pharisees and other leaders of the day, but suddenly become deaf when the Lord warns against fornication or insists that we love our spouse, neighbor, and enemy. Some love to focus inwardly and debate doctrine, but neglect the outward focus of true evangelization to which we are commanded (cf Mat 28:19).
As a whole, we in the Church today too easily divide out rather predictably along certain lines: life issues here, social justice concerns over there; strong moral preaching here, compassionate inclusiveness over there. When one side speaks, the other side says, “There they go again!”
Like St. Paul, we must be able to say that we did not shrink from proclaiming the whole counsel of God. While this is especially incumbent on the clergy, it must also be true for parents and all who attain any leadership in the Church. All of the issues above are important and must have their proper places in the preaching and witness of every Catholic, both clergy and lay. While we may have gifts to work in certain areas, we should learn to appreciate that others in the Church may be needed to balance and complete our work. We must exclude notions that stray from revealed doctrine, but within doctrine’s protective walls, it is necessary that we not shrink from proclaiming and appreciating the whole counsel of God.
Make no mistake about it: if we do this we will suffer. Paul speaks above of tears and trials. In preaching the whole counsel of God (not just your favorite passages or politically correct, “safe” themes), expect to suffer. Understand that you will not quite fit in with people’s expectations. Jesus got into trouble with just about everyone. He didn’t offend just the elite and powerful. For example, even His own disciples puzzled over His teachings on divorce saying, If that is the case of man not being able to divorce his wife it is better never to marry! (Matt 19) In the case of Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist, many left Him and would no longer walk in His company (John 6). When Jesus spoke of His divine origins, many took up stones with which to stone Him, but He passed through their midst (Jn 8). In addition, Jesus spoke of taking up crosses, forgiving your enemies, and preferring nothing to Him. He forbade even lustful thoughts, let alone fornication, and insisted that we must learn to curb our unrighteous anger. Yes, preaching the whole counsel of God is guaranteed to earn us the wrath of many.
Over my years as a priest, I have had to bid a sad farewell to several congregations. This farewell speech of Paul’s is one I use to examine my ministry. Did I preach even the difficult teachings? Was I willing to suffer for the truth? Did my people hear from me the whole counsel of God, or just the parts that were “safe”?
How about you? Have you proclaimed the whole counsel of God? If you are a member of the clergy, when you move on; if you are a parent, when your child leaves for college; if you are a catechist, when the young people are ready to be confirmed; if you teach in RCIA, when the time comes for Easter sacraments. Can you say that you preached it all? God warned Ezekiel that if he failed to warn the sinner, the sinner would surely die for his sins but Ezekiel himself would be responsible for this death (Ez 3:17 ff). Paul is able to say that he is not responsible for the death (the blood) of any of them, because he did not shrink from proclaiming the whole counsel of God.
We must proclaim the whole counsel of God; not just the safe parts, not just the popular teachings, not just the parts that agree with my views and those of my friends. The whole counsel, even the things that are ridiculed—The Whole Counsel of God.
Indeed. Sadly, doing so seems to be a rarity these days. And, I submit that this is the very reason the Church is shrinking here in the USA and in western Europe. It is still strong in many areas in eastern Europe and in Africa. And, I am of the opinion that it is because they continue to Preach the Whole Counsel of God that they remain strong. Our watered down preaching in most churches in the USA is a very real reason for its decline. Jesus Himself preached about this in his parable of the hot and cold drink. The Lukewarm He spits from his mouth. Whose parishes are lukewarm? Oh so carefully trying not to offend with the Whole Counsel? I say it is most. They simply do not have the faith that Paul had. As such, they are unfit for their positions and are harming the church.
Indeed. This reasoning is profound. It is my observed opinion that this is the primary reason for the decline of the church in the USA and in western Europe. Conversely, St. Paul’s teaching is the reason for the relative strength of the church in eastern Europe and Africa. It is obvious that the watering down of the TRUTH, the WAY and the LIGHT of God’s and OUR LORD Jesus Christs Truth and WORD is the reason for the decline of the church. Truth and Light is the way. The catering to the existing “morals” of the world of man is pure folly. It is anti God. Anti Christian. And, far too many so-called Christian leaders, Priests, Pastors, and Reverends cater to and cow-tow to the modern popularity and NOT the truth and the light of the word. They DO NOT in any shape manner or form even come CLOSE to St. Paul’s faith and willingness to proclaim God’s Truth no matter what the consequences. Too many parishes are led by Godly COWARDS. Priests completely devoid of sincerity, belief, or courage. Jesus Christ Himself in a parable described such using as an example the consumption of beverage. Be Cold. Be Hot. But, be not Lukewarm. If YOU are Lukewarm I spit you out. Earlier today I responded to this article with a similar response. I have checked back several times and I have noticed that my response is not registered. It is non-existent on this site. Be that as it may. My response does not go unnoticed by HE who is most important. My response is noted full well by He who matters most. Your neglect to respond to the points I make AND HAVE MADE are well noted by God Almighty and our Lord Jesus Christ whom you purport to be subject to. I do not mean to be insulting. I mean to convey to you what many of us believers see you to be. And, it does not bode well for you and the future of the church as is evident in the decline of the church itself.