Sin, Sorrow, Sanctification

"The greatest persecution of the church does not come from the enemies outside, but is born from sin inside the church... The church has a profound need to relearn penance, to accept purification, to learn on the one hand forgiveness but also the necessity of justice."

Pope Benedict XVI 

The Church spoken of by Paul in today's scripture as the Bride of Christ, “holy and without blemish,” may seem unreal, like a dream or a mist, in light of the recent revelations of the darkness of sin hidden within the Church. Christ suffers again, crucified by the terrible sins that were committed against vulnerable members of His Body. Catholics are shocked, at a loss how to react, perhaps even ready to walk away from the Church.

But this has come to light at this time for a reason. The light of Christ must shine in every dark corner of our broken world to dispel the darkness and put an end to sin. The time for purification has come, when the evildoers will be cast out and those who are crushed in spirit will be saved. The just have cried out, and the LORD, who is close to the brokenhearted, will rescue them (cf Ps 34:17-19). This purification begins in the very heart of the Church, when each sinner repents, when each victim is consoled, and when justice is done for every person who has been hurt.

Christ suffered and died to purify His Bride, the Church. His death was not in vain. Stay with Him, He is present in the heart of His Church, in the Eucharist. Even when sin and death seem victorious, they are not. Jesus Christ is the Victor. He has overcome sin; He has conquered death. Believe, and do not leave Him. He is the Holy One of God, who has the words of eternal life. To whom else shall we go?

“Christ loved the church and handed Himself over for her to sanctify her… that He might present to Himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27