Common Ground

We move toward God through the very tangible, ordinary, visible expriences in our lives. Included in these are the weaknesses, mistakes and sins that flow from our human nature. We strive to deal with these as best we can, looking for models and examples to help us, but sometimes placing unreal expectations on our "models" and leaders. Fr. Robert Canole, pastor of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Bradford, MA, gave some keen insights and gentle understanding of this human element in the lives of several priests. The theme, "no one is perfect" permeated his interview, and reached a climax in his reminder that even Jesus himself was only 75% successful with his own chosen Twelve. And when it came to the foot of the cross on Calvary, only ONE of the Twelve were there, as fear and remorse drove the others into hiding. Yet, from these "weak" men, came willing martyrs, fearless evangelizers, and saints.
A pastor that I knew who spoke openly about his addiction to alcohol and his efforts to recover even from the pulpit, was one of the most effective priests I've met. His holiness sprung from the depths of his addiction, but put him on common ground with the people in the pews whose numbers reached astounding proportions, as people who could identify with Father's struggled came from communites far beyond the parish boundaries.
This makes me think of St. Marcellin, again a man whose "peasant roots" enabled him to connect with the ordinary folk in his parish. These men, whose lived experience in all aspects what it is to be human, give us hope, especially as we reflect on HOPE in Advent, that being holy is attainable for even us, if we first accept all aspects of our humanity.