Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop

Lectionary: 491

“Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck
and he be thrown into the sea
than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.

Captain Renault: I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here! (from the movie Casablanca)

Many people complain about the occurrence and frequency of sin in the Church. Occasional visitors to the assembly are distressed when they see people arriving late and leaving early and the service less than stirring. They feel outrage when asked to make a donation. Newly-baptized members are upset that intoxicated alcoholics faithfully attend the services. Even the long-time faithful can be scandalized to discover their priests or ministers peruse pornography or frequent brothels. Finally, the entire church feels assailed when we discover systemic sin, church organizations seriously compromised by habitual wrong-doing.

Aware of evil within our church, our companions and our own hearts we cannot help but wonder if grace itself has failed.

“Then I said, “If I should speak like that I should abandon the faith of your people.” I strove to fathom this problem, too hard for my mind to understand, until I pierced the mysteries of God and understood what becomes of the wicked. How slippery the paths on which you set them; you make them slide to destruction. (Psalm 73: 15-19 Grail translation)

The psalmist reminds us of God's promises of judgment and justice. If they are delayed they will certainly come. 

“Like a dream one wakes from, O Lord, when you wake you dismiss (the wicked) as phantoms.”

As I read the scriptures and ponder my own experience I come to a slightly different conclusion. Evil is like the weeds among the wheat; it cannot be poisoned, burned or rooted out without destroying the entire harvest. It is woven into the fabric of our lives and, in the end, is made beautiful. I am no longer shocked-shocked to find sin in the Church nor in my heart. It may not exactly belong there but it will serve its purpose in the end. 

Catholics look at the cross and consider its beauty. We do not flee from the Sorrowful Mother but stand with her on Calvary, considering ourselves privileged to be in the company of the saints at that dreadful moment in time. We find on Calvary the most glorious revelation of the Holy Trinity, the passionate love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It cannot appear in any other fashion and shine so pure and bright.

The martyrs especially direct our attention to the goodness of God as evil closes in upon them. Many frankly welcomed the opportunity of martyrdom as it came to them. Some, like the boys of Uganda, were so charged with the Spirit of God they rushed to the killing grounds. Saint Ignatius of Antioch urged his Roman friends not to interfere in his final moment of agony.

Mysteriously, amazingly, surprisingly: God’s plan is not to destroy evil but to subdue it and force it to serve his purposes. Even Death must become God’s pet, meekly sitting by his throne and doing his bidding.

Though we are understandably distressed when we encounter evil in the Church, it forces us to choose faith once again. In the end we will say to the embedded corruption, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it will obey us.