The Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy and Illustrious Apostle Peter
2 Timothy 2:11-19; Luke 18:2-8
Read 2 Timothy 2:11-19
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
The Holy Apostle Paul’s words speak powerfully to us today. Paul is writing to Timothy about the situation in the Roman province of Asia which corresponds today to part of western Turkey. We find that there are members of the Church there who have lapsed into heresy by denying the bodily resurrection. So what we have here is a dispute over what is true, leading to dissensions among the faithful. This is neither the first nor the last time such issues will arise in the Church. Indeed, throughout history, there have been false teachings that have divided or threatened to divide the Church. But rather than get into questions of what divides us as Christians and how we can advance the cause of unity, let us instead focus on the perils of “godless chatter.”
Godless chatter is talk that is opposed to truth, that seeks division, that encourages iniquity which we understand as meaning wickedness, immorality, and injustice. In our present world, especially in North America, we are witnessing a whole lot of “godless chatter” these days: in our media, in our politics, in our popular culture. This godless chatter is dividing us from one another, spreading falsehood, and wounding our society like gangrene. As Christians who profess Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life we have a duty through our baptism to call our neighbours, Christian and non-Christian alike, to turn from such division and instead see in one another the image and likeness of Him who created us. Being a faithful Christian in today’s world is hard, but we do not live our faith alone. This is why Christ gives us the Church, to bind us together as His mystical body and to strengthen us to go forth into the world proclaiming justice, mercy, and truth all of which we proclaim in love, His love for us and for the world. Isn’t that an exhilarating call? Let’s equip ourselves with prayer, a growing knowledge of our Catholic faith, and strengthened by the Holy Eucharist and run to embrace it!