Given at Westminster Cathedral on 16 November 2014 at the Mass for deceased brothers of the Catenian Association.
God bestows his gifts generously and abundantly. Created in the image of the God who is love, we are called to use the gifts which we have been given in the loving service of others. We become the person God desires us to be when we act with love and generosity. The gifts are varied and diverse but each one can be used to contribute to the building up of the kingdom of God in accord with justice, love and mercy. This leads to an in-breaking of God's peace. The celebration of this Mass for deceased brothers of the Catenian Association reminds us of the many gifts given by God to those we lovingly pray for today. We remember the way in which they used their gifts for the good of others, especially by building up families and in the professional lives in which they were involved. The support which Catenian brothers give to widows is well known and an important witness to the command of the gospel and the care of the family. Today's parable invites our reflection of the gifts we have been given and the call and vocation to serve others through the development of one's gifts and by the generous use of them for the good of others.
Recently Pope Francis addressed accountants and made the following points. They are appropriate in a wider sense to those of you gathered here today since so many of you are involved in professions which relate to the worlds of finance and business. The Pope focuses on the way in which each and every activity must consider the common good of all and be ready to see the faces of people behind every figure, total, and budget. For example, a good Catholic accountant requires the wisdom that comes from prayer and reflection on how to make good business decisions, is informed by Catholic social teaching, and holds in mind the faces of those who will benefit and those who will suffer. In these faces, we meet the face of Christ and touch other members of his body. He writes, ‘…it is necessary to always place the human person, with his dignity, at the centre, in contrast to the dynamics that tend to approve everything and place money at the summit.’
Further,
‘And so, everyone – especially those who are in a profession that deals with the proper functioning of the economic life of a country – are called to play a positive, constructive role in the day-to-day development of their own work, knowing that behind every identity card there is a story, there are many faces. In such work... the Christian professional every day draws, from prayer and from the Word of God, the strength first of all to do their own work well, with competence and wisdom; and then “to go beyond,” which means going to meet the person in difficulty; to exercise that creativity that allows you to find solutions for difficult situations; to value reasons of human dignity in the face of bureaucratic rigidity.’
What of the man who was fearful to develop his gifts? He seems to be judged harshly.
The first implication is to ensure that each child is able to develop his or her gifts to their potential. At the heart of this enterprise is the growth in a religious understanding that places Christ at the centre. If we communicate the loving gaze of the Good Shepherd who sees the child with the eyes of tenderness and kindness, then fear is dispelled and his or her gifts can flourish. If the gaze of mercy falls on those who are struggling in complex situations of life, then fear is dispelled and they can use their gifts to their fullness. My hope is that the friendship, support and love of the members of the Catenian Association will enable each child and family to develop in this way.
At the heart of Catenian life is the support and care of the family and witness to the importance of marriage. Pope Francis in the work of the recent synod invites us consider how we can develop the call and mission of the family. He asks that we celebrate with joy the life of the family and the place of marriage in the scheme of God's plan. At the same time, he invites us to look with mercy on people in the complex and difficult relationships where ideals fail and yet in the midst of struggle, people live generously and with love. Openness to God's mercy and the call to truthful living by conversion is an important dynamic in the life of each of our lives. As a Catholic association Jesus invites you to walk in truth but also to accompany with mercy those who find themselves in complex situations.
It is through our families that most of us have received our faith and hand it on to others. We give thanks for those whom we remember and pray for at this Mass. We pray that we may continue through the gift and love of families to witness to Jesus Christ and so be agents of evangelisation filled with the Holy Spirit. Many of you gathered here today are of the age of grandparents and so an encouragement to you as an Association, we recall the words of the Pope at during World Youth Day in Rio:
‘How precious is the family as the privileged place for transmitting the faith! ... How important grandparents are for family life, for passing on the human and religious heritage which is so essential for each and every society! How important it is to have intergenerational exchanges and dialogues, especially within the context of the family.’
Thank you for your contribution to this mission of the Church. We pray that the brothers of the Catenian Association who have died may rest in peace. Amen.
Bishop John Sherrington