[1]I’m not sure you are
familiar with the series of movies entitled, “The
Mighty Ducks” (1992) or maybe our group might better relate to the “Bad News Bears” (1976). Both story lines start with an
adult who was recruited, or sentenced to community service, to coach a bunch of
misfit kids who were shunned by the more competitive teams, parents, and
coaches. I had the pleasure of coaching this type of team while stationed in
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Don’t get me wrong, the players were good kids, from
solid military families, but in Hawaii, sports were a ticket off the island and
the players, parents, and especially coaches take winning very seriously. In
this coaching experience I discovered the key to success for any team is “unity”. A unity born out of respect for the dignity
of self and the other.
Josaphat, an Eastern Rite bishop, is held up
as a martyr to church unity because he died trying to bring part of the
Orthodox Church into union with Rome. In 1054, a schism took place that stemmed
from the Roman Empire being divided into East and West, and so, as society goes
so does the Church with the Eastern Church in Constantinople and the Western
Church in Rome. Trouble between the two was brewing for centuries because of
cultural, political, and theological differences. Millions of Orthodox Christians
didn’t agree with any decision to return to communion with the Catholic Church
and both sides tried to resolve this disagreement with words and with violence.
Martyrs were made on both sides.
Josaphat was a voice of Christian peace in
this dissent.[2]
By synods, catechetical instruction, reform of the clergy, and personal
example, Josaphat made ground in winning the greater part of the Orthodox to
the reunion. Alas, despite all his work and respect garnered, the Orthodox
separatists found fertile ground to set up their own rival bishops. It must
have hurt Josaphat to see the people he had served so faithfully divided when
the King of Poland declared Josaphat the only legitimate archbishop. His former
diocese of Vitebsk turned completely against union with Rome. In
1623, Josaphat decided to return to Vitebsk (vē′tĭpsk) in an attempt to calm the troubles himself, completely aware
of the danger but said, "If I am counted worthy of martyrdom, then I am not
afraid to die."
As usual violence had the opposite affect
from its intent. Regret and horror at how far the violence had gone and the
loss of their archbishop swung public opinion to unity with the Catholic Church in Rome.
The essence of this story should be quite
familiar to us, even if it’s the first time we’ve heard it. It is reflection of
our society today. Our country is divided, virtually equally, whether you
review political polls or elections, and as society goes so does the Church.
The Church is equally divided, and many have fallen into the same trap of using
violent words and actions, some have even weaponized the sacraments. You cannot
legislate moral conduct this our contrary to the Gospel message of invitation
into God’s love.
Our model for communicating our values is
the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. A model of self-giving love. The
model we communicate at the Eucharistic feast is an invitation for a broken
divided community and world. Jesus’ message is one of respectful dialog that
invites all God’s children into unity; one body, one spirit, the one bread of
life.
Hears the good news, the Mighty Ducks, the Bad News Bears, and the Pearl Harbor Rams all became champion teams. How because of the emphasis on respect for each other, the fruit of this respect is unity of effort and a respect for the dignity of their opponents, even when they weren’t treated with the same respect. For me, this is what is meant when the Church sends us forth from Mass with the charge, “Go in Peace, Glorifying the Lord by your Life.”
