St. Mary of the Assumption

Maple Park, Illinois

September 2018 Parish & Liturgical Calendars

EOM Schedule  (8/1/18- 10/31/18)
Lector Schedule  (8/1/18-10/31/18)

People are shocked and angered when they hear that someone who publicly made a promise to serve God and people has violated that promise by the misuse of his/her human sexual urges ...  and are shocked and angered when they see that happening in non-religious situations: the world of sports, education, entertainment, politics, and so forth.

I too am shocked and angered by sexual abuse and misconduct, but I am not surprised that it happens.  I believe that the sexual abuse crisis—which is present both in the life of the Church and in the culture as a whole—flows out of a distorted view of reality.  Much of our human society rejects God’s teaching on the reasons why we have such a strong sexual urge: the reproduction of human life and the bonding of parents for the purpose of nourishing, protecting and educating new human beings. However, it seems that for many people our sexuality is too often seen as simply a tool for personal pleasure, apart from reproduction and bonding. 

Sexual abuse is always rooted in lust, the sin of using others as objects for our personal pleasure rather than as subjects who have a dignity which must be respected.  God made us to love others, not use them.  Our sexuality is meant to be a tool for love.  Unfortunately, the virtues of purity, chastity, and modesty—which are designed to help us to develop our ability to love in ways appropriate to the different situations in which we find ourselves—are often ridiculed or dismissed today as “old-fashioned” or “prudish” rather than habits which strengthen our ability to love people rather than use them. 

On the other hand, the vices of fornication, adultery, self-centered sexual stimulation, sodomy and pornography are widely accepted by many people, although they are condemned by God as actions which undermine the purpose of human sexuality.  I don’t think it’s stretching things to say this seems to be the fruit of the so-called “sexual revolution” of the last century.  The fruit has turned out to contain much spiritual poison for both individuals and society.

In the midst of it all, we can stand firm.  The Church is Christ’s Body.  God will purge it of those who disgrace it and sin against it.  He will raise up the leaders he needs to set things right.  The Church will be renewed, although it’s likely to be an extended process.

In the meantime there are many people suffering from sexual misconduct of those in the Church who fell from virtue to vice.  We need to support those suffering in whatever way we can.

Let’s remember that Christ is the Divine Physician.  He can heal any wounds if we approach him.  So pray for the healing of those who have been or are now being sexually abused, and for the conversion of the hearts of abusers.  And for all of us in the battle between good and evil: lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.