Prayer is a fascinating spiritual exercise, isn’t it? There are so many varied forms of it and as many different styles as there are people doing it. In reflecting on, “…the importance of praying always and not losing heart…” Jesus’ words that we heard in last week’s Gospel, I did some research and brushed up on the different types of prayer. I was once again fascinated by the many attempts to categorize and describe the art, science, reverence, sanctity and action of prayer.
This week, the Gospel according to Luke tells us another story comparing two people’s prayer experiences. A Pharisee and a tax collector both go to the temple to pray. The Pharisee, who is obviously more familiar with the public rituals done in the Temple, takes his place in the sacred space, and even though he addresses God at the beginning, his prayer is all about himself. He exalts himself in comparison to others and explains to God what religious acts he has done. The tax collector is humble and respectful, even keeping his distance in the sacred space out of respect. He humbly asks God for one thing—Mercy.
The Pharisee is telling God things that he thinks God doesn’t know. Interestingly, God already knows the truth of his life, so announcing it as if God doesn’t know is actually unbelievably disrespectful to God. If he were to offer it to God in gratitude, or even fear, that would be another story. But he is demonstrating his lack of familiarity with the all-knowing and loving God of ours. He presents himself as arrogant and self righteous before God. The tax collector is acknowledging and presenting the reality of his life to God. He needs forgiveness. And he presents himself in a very humble and honest way before God. In Jesus’ estimation the tax collector left justified and the Pharisee did not.
Do some of your own research on prayer. Look into the many kinds and jump start your spiritual life by trying some new or different styles of prayer. Let’s all take a humble lesson from the Gospel this week and try to learn more about prayer.
The church is another thing that we can all learn more about and our Archbishop Blase Cupich is leading us in an endeavor to do just that. His hope is that as we learn and grow we will be renewed as a local Church in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Perhaps you are familiar with the Jesuit cardinal Avery Dulles and his work in describing the various models of Church. Dulles describes the following models of the church as: Institution – a hierarchical structure responsible to the laity for teaching and ruling. Community – primarily, we are The Body of Christ. Sacrament – the visible manifestation of God’s grace. Herald – We are those who hear God’s word and keep it. Servant – We are here to proclaim the Kingdom of God’s justice, love and reconciliation. School Of Disciples – We are to lead the process of learning in light of the Gospel.
A profound truth is that there may be more models out there and each parish has some of all of these models, but the Archdiocese of Chicago, like so many other densely populated large urban areas, has been significantly shaped by several and continued waves of immigration.
When I was at three very ethnically diverse communities on the north side of Chicago from 1996-2009, I became aware of a church question that is returning to my spiritual and faith imagination. I believe the question is also at the heart of the Renew My Church effort. The question is, “What model will replace the immigrant model of Church in Chicago?” Not only in the city, but in many places in our Archdiocese, faith communities were established a long time ago for many basic reasons including language, culture and ethnicity. The building of structures and locations were largely determined by these factors.
As we continue to move through the Renew My Church process, we are challenged to look at and expand the models of church listed above and the models of church that we have shaped and have shaped us. At its heart, Renew My Church will help us to form new models and will thoroughly invite all 2.2 million Catholics in Lake and Cook counties to offer feedback. Archbishop Cupich has taken his inspiration from St. Francis of Assisi who heard the Lord say to him, “Build up my Church.” At first Francis thought that the message meant to build up one church building that was in need of repair, but he soon realized that the commissioning from the Lord was to strengthen and revitalize the larger church. There have been several gatherings of clergy, parish leadership and staffs, and most recently, all parishioners in this local church, including us here at Holy Family, asking our feedback through a survey. Gatherings continue that that seek even further feedback about parish to parish collaboration and other issues in parish life here in the Archdiocese of Chicago. The five critical factors of parish viability that are at the center of this renewal:
•Capital needs •Mission vitality •Pastor availability
•Demographics •Financial viability
You will continue to hear more information about this important initiative of renewal, and specifically our collaboration with St. Anne, as time unfolds. Please continue to pray for this very important effort.