The Prodigal Sons of the Church

The loud voices of ex-Catholics and anti-Catholic Catholics brings to mind the popular parable of the "Prodigal Son".







The APOSTATE is like the younger son who disowns his father and went off to a life of his own. He seeks a way of life that seemed appealing, exciting, and vibrant. He carries with him whatever inheritance he had gotten, but often misusing it and squandering it. He finds himself in the company of like-minded people. For a long time, it would seem like heaven and the right choice to make. He can almost forget where he came from.







Yet, amidst all the semblance of life and happiness; He was still restless. He was hungry for something. It didn't feel like home at all but in stead, he feels the squalor of a pigpen. He feels so needy.
He was far from home- body, heart, and mind. In his mind, he realized what he has lost, and his heart begins to desire it. In a matter of time, his will will take the road back home.






And there is the other son, the DISSENTER. He remains with the father in his home. His heart, though, is divided. He wants to remain in the home but he wants to change the home. He is with his father and all his father has is available to him, but he wants to change the ways of his father. The son thinks he is better than his father; His father being old and certainly not in touch with the times. Each day, it would seem that he can not agree with every decision of his father.






He goes about his daily works, but it gets heavier with the load of resentment he feels for where he belongs. He sure can leave like his brother, but he knows the wealth that is in there that he holds on and stays. His presence in his father's house is not so comfortable for him and the rest. He wants to accomodate all and tolerate all.

The dissenter is in a far more difficult place. He is one foot in and one foot out. Like an adulterer trying to have the best of both worlds, in turn, was less of both worlds. He was never whole.






Both sons seek heaven and they do love and believe in God. Yet, there is that inherited stain in us of wanting to be God and create the way to paradise. There is that nagging sin that resurfaces that if we obey, we are less human - less free, less thinking.





If we believe only what we can understand, then, it doesn't require much faith. We lean to our own understanding and hardly partake in the Divinity of Christ.





Arrogance makes us poor students of life. It is in humility, that we can learn and trust. It is humility that we recognize our limitations and, thus, transcend it. It is humility that we journey into the fullness of Truth.

In this pilgrim Church, there will always be the faithful, the apostate, and the dissenter. And in different ways, the Father reaches out.

To the Apostate, He lets go and yet He keeps watch. Caring and waiting. Sending from a distance His message of love, will the son receive it?

To the Dissenter, there is a conversation- a prayer. The son talks and explains, sometimes dictating while the Father listens. But when the Father talks, will the son listen?

To the Faithful, there is an encounter. Sometimes what the Father proposes can be disconcerting. The son can choose to trust and remain with his Father; Or he can join the dissenter or the apostate. What will he choose?

Pope's Renunciation and the Sede Vacante Homes

While the Pope's renunciation of the papal office shook many, the subsequent reactions were of love and gratitude. But there were a good number, too, that felt abandoned or even betrayed. The breakdown of marriage in society had brought forth wounded individuals, growing up with no fathesr; They were hit the most by Pope Benedict XVI's move to renounce the office. The news struck them in a wound that never fully healed. It was for them a revisit of painful memories of a father walking out on them.

It is quite understandable that they will go through emotions of anguish, grief, forsaken, and a list of many questions. They cast doubt on past statements of love.

The Catholic Church is a family... a home and we look up to the Pope as a spiritual father. Pope Benedict XVI, in spite of, what mainstream media would like to portray, had becoming an endearing father to Catholics. His simple, lack of theatrics, and almost self-effacing personality made people listen to his words undistracted. It was heart speaks to heart.

His renunciation may, then, can even become an avenue of healing for the fatherless members of Christendom. He didnot disappear in thin air. He was able to say his goodbye, thank you, and he asked forgiveness. He prayed, discerned what is best for the flock. He said he is not abandoning you and me. He will still be in spiritual closeness thru prayers. He will continue to suffer with Christ and His Church.

Those final days of Pope Benedict XVI's papacy were touching. There is pain and sadness in losing the physical presence of one who is loved, but there is that serenity, joy, and gratitude because he gave much and that remains.

May the renunciation of Pope Benedict XVI, now Bishop Emeritus of Rome bring healing to the many who in their personal lives had an absentee father. And amidst our activism in women's rights, may we realize the equal importance of men and fathers in family life.