In grade school I learned at the final judgment all our deeds would be made known. Everyone would know what we did in life, both bad and good. You might think that knowledge would motivate good actions and deter evil, but think again. When Bernard Madoff admitted his guilt in a multi-billion dollar swindle, he said he always knew the day would come when he would stand before the justice of the law. Clearly that knowledge did not deter him from continuing his scam right up to his arrest.
A counter example is Pope Benedict’s acknowledgement a terrible mistake was made by his aides which resulted in scandal. The pope has worked very hard to bring back to the church a schismatic group of bishops and their followers who reject the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. One of those bishops also denied that millions of Jews were killed by the Nazis.
Pope Benedict’s aides did not check the public record closely enough to advise him about this problem before he lifted the excommunication of that bishop. As a result, it appeared the pope also was denying the Holocaust. But when all this was brought to light by the German chancellor (denying the Holocaust is a crime in Germany) and various Jewish groups, the pope apologized and admitted a serious mistake had been made. He was acting in the same way as his predecessor, John Paul II, who asked forgiveness that historically Catholics had acted in ways that encouraged such prejudice against Jews.
Not everyone supports this kind of papal honesty.
Anyone who hears the Gospel this Sunday will understand the meaning of the words, “Everyone who does evil hates the light; he does not come near it for fear his deeds will be exposed. But he who acts in truth comes into the light, to make clear that his deeds are done in God.” (John 3:14-21) But who will understand that it is a way of life to which all those who believe in Jesus are called?
Truth telling and acting with transparency are not greatly valued in most human government, economic, or even scientific or religious systems. For instance, some folks in our society do not want too much light shown on abortions or the scientific use of human embryos. It is a matter of economics, not just scientific knowledge.
On the other hand, while discussing restructuring parishes some are averse to considering that professional lay ecclesial ministers must become an essential component of the parish staff. For them it is a matter of economics, not just theology.
Everyone who has seen a professional football game knows the Scripture reference, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”
Few understand that it constitutes a call to a way of life. This way of life is rooted in God’s gift of his Son, a sign of God’s love for the world and a design that we find our true life in the light that is Christ.
What in your words and deeds need to be more truthful, more transparent? What actions of yours need to come into the light so that you can be set free from old ways of acting? After all, the real test of accepting the love of God for you and for the world is the ability to stand before the truth — not only of your own actions but the truth of our agreed-upon actions as a church, state, society, political party, business community, military, medical establishment, insurance system, or school.
Father Richard Chiola is a certified counselor, pastor of St. Cabrini Parish in Springfield and diocesan director for the ongoing formation of clergy.