Lord, To Whom Shall We Go?

Dear Parishioners,

The Sunday readings these past few weeks, focusing on Jesus’ Bread of Life discourse (John, Chapter 6), have been of great comfort to me during these times of difficulty and resurfacing scandal in the Catholic Church.  I focus particularly on last week’s (21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B) conversation between the Apostles, St. Peter and Jesus:

Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?"  Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."

It might be the immediate reaction of some to walk away from the Catholic Church, at times like these, as many did in Jesus' day.  Who can I trust?  They are all a bunch of hypocrites in the Church!  Even the bishops and cardinals (and pope?) are corrupt!  I dare not try to defend the indefensible actions of those who were horribly wrong, deceitful and guilty of moral and criminal actions.  I am hurt, disillusioned and offended as much as any of the trusting, faithful laity and dedicated, obedient clergy are.

What I must state clearly is this:  The evil perpetrated by some, at various levels in the Church, does not diminish the salvific action of Christ on our behalf.  Christ suffered and died for us and for our salvation.  He has the words of eternal life.  He is the way, the truth and the life.  This never changes.  It never will.  Christ is faithful to the end.

However, those in ministry who choose defiantly not to live by His teaching, who bring disgrace upon the Church, and who undermine the credibility of the Gospel and Church teaching must take certain immediate actions.  They need to repent of their sinful actions (like Peter did after his denial of Christ), turn to the Lord for His mercy and forgiveness, and, for the sake of their own salvation and the good of the people that they serve, step down form any positions of Church authority that they may currently hold.  Power, prestige, and honor are all worldly things.  Eternal salvation is much more important.

Yes, we are all sinners.  Sometimes even generally good people make grave, sinful mistakes.  Afterwards, the genuinely sorrowful will choose repentance and amendment of life.  They will make a heart-felt confession of their sins.  However, to choose deliberately a secretive, hidden lifestyle that is in direct opposition to the teaching of Christ and His Church, to be unrepentant, to justify, cover-up and lie about wrongdoings, to mislead the faithful, etc. are actions that continue down the same path as Judas who is seen as a betrayer (see Mt. 26:46)—not a follower—of Christ.

With the current public accusations of the former Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Vigano, towards members of the Church hierarchy, there needs to be a thorough, objective investigation of these matters by predominantly competent, professionally-trained laity (since it might be difficult or even impossible to know how bad the corruption is through some hierarchal self-monitoring process).  One should never fear the truth, even if it is initially painful.  It is the only way to rid the Church of the cancer that she now faces.  Continuing lies and deception will only bring us back to this point sometime in the future.

Pray to St. Michael the Archangel, emphasize the deliver us from evil when you pray the Our Father, fast and pray for the faithful clergy in the trenches fighting the battle, and, most importantly, seek the continual intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary by praying the rosary.

Be faithful to Jesus and His Church.  Don’t leave the Church but encourage (demand) its genuine reform from within.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor 

     

Nothing Less Than Diabolical

Dear Parishioners,

I honestly thought (perhaps foolishly or naively) that we, as a Church, had made some drastically needed reforms regarding the sexual morality of our clergy.  I was/am not aware of any type of high profile, sexual scandal among our Camden diocesan clergy from more recent history.  I know that there had been far too many ugly, painful disclosures, however, during my more than three decades as a Catholic priest.  Even a solitary case, in my opinion, is far too many.

Now we must face these current glaring revelations:  the McCarrick disgrace and the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report, preceded by notable clergy scandals in Australia and Chile, to name a few.  At any given moment, my emotional state ranges from sick, disgusted, angry, infuriated, depressed, sorrowful, ashamed, aghast, overwhelmed and generally extremely grieved and totally embarrassed by the clerical sex abuse being made public at this time.

How I feel means little, however, compared to what the actual victims of sexual abuse must have experienced.  To have been taken advantage of or to have been coerced at the hands of a supposedly religious or spiritual authority figure—someone who should have been completely trustworthy—is well, nothing less than diabolical.  One must question what spirit was being followed.  Obviously, the spirit of evil.

When I think of the same sacred, consecrated hands that are used to make Christ present on the altar, to forgive sinners, to anoint the sick, to baptize, etc., being used for deviant, sexual purposes, I am ready to vomit.  The ordained, consecrated person is configured to Christ and acts in His very person.  Unspeakable, perverted sexual acts reveal the powers of darkness and evil.  I am not saying that anyone is possessed or acting beyond their own free-will powers in these situations.  However, there is a glaring manifestation of such grotesque, depraved proportion to bespeak of a supernatural, demonic influence present even in the Church.  Blessed Paul VI said the following in a homily back in 1972: “From some fissure the smoke of Satan has entered the temple of God.” (Homily, 29 June 1972) The traditional prayer to St. Michael the Archangel is said to have been composed by Pope Leo XIII after a vision of the demonic he experienced while celebrating Mass.  One only need go to the Book of Revelation (Chapter 12), Sacred Scripture itself, to hear of the battle between Satan (the dragon) and the Woman (the Blessed Mother) and St. Michael.  Spiritual warfare is happening in our world, in our Church.  Today.  Now.

Evil exits and rears its head in far too many ways in our society.  Sexual perversion (including homosexual acts like sodomy), a desire for unbridled, sexual license, the killing of our unborn children, rampant pornography (especially on the internet), etc. all manifest a degrading of humanity to a deviant, animal baseness rather than elevate humanity to a God-like holiness.

I give a heartfelt apology to all victims of clerical (or any kind of) sexual abuse, to their families and to the wide range of people who are also victimized by this far-reaching scandal and its perversity.  I make no excuses for anyone’s atrocious behavior or any abuse of power.  Sin is wrong no matter who commits it and certain grave sin cries out to God for vengeance.  May Almighty God give us whatever we need to begin the healing.   

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Looking for "Love" in All the Wrong Places

Dear Parishioners,

Some time ago when I was teaching a religion class in the 7^th grade of my former parish, I asked the students:  “How are we made in the image and likeness of God?”  Obviously, we all can’t look like God physically.  But we do have two qualities or characteristics in particular, that make us like God—our intelligence and our free will.

Look at a young child.  From his or her earliest days there is the desire to know.  “What’s this?”  “Why? “ The child asks questions.  In fact, we should all want to know various things throughout our lives.  Our minds seek knowledge.

We also experience the ability to make free choices.  We can say “yes” or “no.”  We can do something or choose not to do it.  We will usually choose that which we think will make us happy as opposed to something that will hurt us.  Essentially we seek love—we want to love and be loved—which will fulfill our deepest human desires.

In the end, human beings are designed in such a way by the Creator to seek knowledge and love.  And where do we find all knowledge and all love?  Only in God!  It is God alone who will be able to satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart.  I refer to the well-known quote of Saint Augustine:  “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in You.”  Confessions, Book I, Chapter I

Sometimes people are deceived in their search for love.  We may get caught up instead in the glamour of evil.  We look for love in all the wrong places.  We accept that which may appear to be good for us and which we think may bring us the happiness that we seek.  But we are fooled.  Whatever it was that we chose didn’t quite live up to expectations.  It only appeared to be good—most likely it was only temporarily pleasurable, and, ultimately, could be harmful to us.

I think that’s why addiction is so commonplace in our society.  We keep trying to fill the void in us with the things that the world deceptively offers as “good” (alcohol, drugs, illicit sex, pornography, gambling, excessive computer or TV usage, excessive shopping, etc.) rather than with God.  Only God can fill the void.  Everything else is a false god and will fall short of expectations.  I can guarantee it.

Jesus gave assistance to us along life’s journey to make it easier for us.  He gave us Himself in the Most Holy Eucharist to satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart.  “Amen, amen I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.”  (John 6:53)   We run the risk of being spiritually empty without Jesus.  It seems pretty clear to me that Jesus (and the early Church) was quite definitive with this message.  Therefore, it is a no-brainer that we need to participate in Mass regularly and to receive Holy Communion frequently.  Otherwise, we will wind up seeking that which we really need—God’s love—in some other unsatisfying place. . .  

. . . and being unhappy in the process.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

The Pain in a Mother's Eyes

Dear Parishioners,

Last Saturday I concelebrated a funeral Mass. It was a very difficult time for all involved. Katie was only 33 years old. She left behind her husband Todd and three little girls, Natalie, Kelly and Marley Mae (7, 6 and 4). Katie's mother Lisa had worked for me in my last assignment as the parish secretary. Katie, like her mother, usually had a huge smile on display to greet whomever she met. The smile on Lisa's face was conspicuously missing. The inexpressible pain could be seen in her eyes.

No parent expects to lose a child. It is not the way that things are supposed to happen. We usually bury our parents—as sad as this may be—not the other way around. I could not even imagine the grief that Katie's parents, Lisa and Brian, were experiencing. Todd's face had just a blank stare of unbelief.

The funeral Mass congregation packed St. Joseph Church in Somers Point. I was told the viewing the night before went on for hours, with a line of people around the block. People were extremely supportive and empathetic. There are just no words appropriate for times like these. People just feel the sadness and pain.

The Catholic funeral Mass tries to bring a sense of hope to the situation. Jesus' salvific action is once again made present on the altar. We are reminded of His Resurrection from the dead. We, as believers, are told that death and the grave are not final—life is changed, not ended.

As I looked into the congregation from the altar, I saw two other mothers who had experienced the loss of their sons not too long ago. I had been pastor there at the time of both of these funerals. I knew that these mothers knew all too well what it was like to go through this pain.  Somehow their slowly-healing wounds get ripped open once again. Courageously, they were there to support this newly-grieving family.

In the front pew sat the three little girls, too young to realize just how tragic this situation was for them, now and into the unforeseen future. Where's mommy? Somehow children are remarkably resilient. They looked like little angels—pure, innocent and holy. Thankfully, they had each other to hold on to as they watched their newly-born baby cousin, also there with them. The circle of life continues.

We are all reminded, at times like these, just how brief and how fragile life is. Things can change too quickly for any of us.

Personally, I don't know how I would survive without faith in Jesus Christ and His Resurrection form the dead. I know that He knew what it is like to die so young. Wasn't He also approximately 33  years old at the time of His tragic death?

I have once again seen the pain in the eyes of a grieving mother, reminiscent of what it must have been like when Mary met her Son on the road to Calvary, when she saw her Son hanging from a cross.

There really are no adequate words for such times.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Katie

Preparing for "Catholic Strong"

Dear Parishioners,

In the months ahead, you are going to hear much about our diocesan wide campaign called Catholic Strong.  Essentially each parish is being asked to assess the future needs of the parish, develop a strategic plan and to conduct an initiative to meet those needs.  We are being aided by Changing Our World, an organization chosen by the bishop and the diocese to accomplish this task.

The plan will look at various needs of our parish including enhancing the necessary ministries and programs, maintaining our current facilities, funding capital projects, reducing parish debt, and planning for the future.

Bishop Dennis Sullivan writes the following:

Our theme, CATHOLIC STRONG, is not just a slogan. It is a goal that we can reach together.

To accomplish this, we must: invest in evangelization programs, particularly crafted for youth and young adults; strengthen faith formation programs for families, adults and children; encourage professional development of parish ministers and staff; and continue to expand our social service efforts. In this way we bring the truths of our Catholic faith to more people; serve our neighbors spiritually and practically; and lay the groundwork for the future of the Church in South Jersey.

The remarkable aspect of this program is that 70% of all the money raised remains right here in the parish.  Most campaigns of this nature place a much greater emphasis on diocesan programs and initiatives while Catholic Strong is intended to strengthen the parish—our parish!

We have begun assessing our various needs here at Holy Angels.  As I wrote previously, I have prioritized funds to help us with evangelization and outreach to young adults and their families.  I think it is urgently needed.  We also must look at our many aging buildings needing repairs (roofs, sidewalks, heating/air-conditioning units, etc.)  We plan to renovate our recently purchased property (81 Cooper Street) to consolidate most of our offices in this one central location.  Creating a reserve fund to prepare for the unexpected is also on the list.

We will need volunteers to help with the workload.  Parishioners will be needed for various tasks ranging from clerical work to actual solicitation of homes and families.  If you would like to hear more about what you can do, please call the parish office.  We will try to find you a task to suit your abilities, comfort level and area of expertise.

Most importantly, please start praying now for the success of Catholic Strong in our parish.  If there is something that everyone can do to help, it is pray.  Remember this initiative is about the future of our parish.

We will have more details in the weeks ahead.  Stay tuned!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Encountering the “Convenience Store” Mentality

Dear Parishioners,

Many of us run into the local convenience store to pick up bread, milk, a cup of coffee, a sandwich or something similar.  We’re in and out, usually in a couple of minutes.  These stores are usually busy, but still make it easy for us to shop quickly.

Unfortunately, too many people have brought this mentality into church life.  They run to the church when they need to have their child baptized, to obtain a certificate of eligibility to be a godparent, to get a Mass card, etc.  “Church” is available to me when I need something, rather than being an integral part of it.  There’s no real commitment, just some service rendered.

For the Catholic Church to flourish in this or any parish, it needs a commitment by its parishioners to help build the Kingdom of God.  This may sound like some lofty ideal, but, essentially it means helping people to know, love and serve Jesus Christ.  It means to make disciples.  And this task involves commitment rather than just some occasional appearance on an as needed basis.

Remember how God through history made a covenant with His people.  I will be your God and your will be My people (Ex. 6:7, Jer. 30:22).  All the covenants of old culminated in Jesus’ new and eternal covenant sealed in His Blood.  We are reminded of this during the Eucharistic prayer of every Mass.  We are told:  Do this in memory of me.  Covenant involves total commitment.  Just look at the cross for Jesus’ commitment to us.

Granted there are all too many excuses that people have for not making a serious commitment to church: “There’s just too many rules,” “The people who go to church are all hypocrites,” “I can pray on my own,” “All they want is my money,” “All religion is pretty much the same,” “As long as I believe in God . . .,” “I am just too busy,” etc., etc.  Have you used any of these?

At times, the Church shares some blame.  When people did make an initial commitment, they became disillusioned or felt betrayed.  Their parish was merged, and their lifelong church permanently shuttered.  Some scandal (financial, sexual) upset them.  The priests, religious or parishioners did not seem welcoming or even interested.  The experience of church, for some reason, did not seem relevant to everyday life.

I am frustrated as much as anyone with the lack of interest or apathy among young adults (millennials) and their families.  As someone involved in high school teaching/ministry for 20 years, I look for the young at Mass and am frequently disappointed that they can be counted on one hand.  Knowledge of the faith is rapidly diminishing along with its practice.

We need outreach.  We need evangelization.  We need more youth ministry.  We need a commitment to Christ and His Church.  And I alone cannot do any of this without your assistance.  We should be quite aware by now that the number of priests and religious in our area is insufficient to reach the multitudes.

As we prepare for our Catholic Strong campaign this fall, I have prioritized funds to help us with evangelization and outreach to young adults and their families.  I think it is urgently needed.

I also need committed volunteers.  Please look in the mirror and see if you meet the qualifications.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Priestly Triage

Dear Parishioners,

Sometimes when I describe my life as a priest to others, I explain that I often feel like I am doing constant triage.  Those of you who work at the hospital or in the medical profession probably understand this best.  I attempt to prioritize the many concerns in front of me and then take on the most urgent tasks first.  Is someone seriously ill or dying?  Who needs my time and attention the most?  What are the things that only a priest can do—is ordained to do?  Pope Francis mentioned something similar in a few of his messages: The church seems like a field hospital, where the first order of the day is heal the wounds, not measure people's cholesterol.  I couldn’t agree more.

There are so many important, urgent matters that the church needs to face these days.  I think firstly of the need to help bring people to God—to let all people see the love that Jesus Christ has for them. 

In days gone by there might have been plenty for a priest to do by simply remaining at the rectory or in the office waiting for someone to drop by, seeking his assistance.  Today, more than ever, I think the priest needs to go among his people, to seek out and to bring back those lost sheep that have strayed.  Maybe this will involve visiting a home or family.  Maybe a matter will be discussed over breakfast or dinner.  To the consternation of some, I have never really been the type of person who simply remains in an office, at a desk all day.  I tend to be on the go, out and about quite frequently.  I realize that this might be frustrating for people who come to see me, who expect a call to be returned immediately or who are looking to obtain an instant answer from me.  Sorry.

What do I see as those important matters where a priest needs to be spending his time?  First, only a priest can celebrate Mass and offer this most perfect sacrifice to God.  From the Mass we receive the Most Holy Eucharist, hear the Word of God proclaimed and preached, and worship as the Body of Christ—the Church.  Second, only a priest—in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation—has the privilege to forgive sins in the name of Jesus.  In my estimation, time spent hearing confessions is time well-spent.  Again, only a priest can anoint the sick and dying in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.   A priest should be called when someone is elderly, seriously ill, in danger of death, in the hospital, preparing for major surgery, etc.   

From my experience in the confessional and in various other circumstances, I have found that some of the most urgent needs of parishioners include the need to regularize marriages, the ongoing desire for healing and forgiveness in people’s lives, various addictions affecting people and their far-reaching impact, the increasing lack of knowledge, understanding and practice of the Catholic faith, and a general disconnect with many of the teaching of the Church.   

I pray each day that God helps me to be an instrument of His Grace, His forgiveness and His healing.  A priest needs to be Christ’s visible presence for others in the world.  Imperfectly and unworthily, I attempt to carry this out daily.    

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Parish Update (June, 2018)

Dear Parishioners.

It’s hard to believe but it is almost a year since I was appointed pastor of Holy Angels Parish.  I feel compelled to thank you for your warm welcome to me and for the patience you have shown me during this first year.  (Admittedly, I had some complicating factors earlier with my heart attack and subsequent recovery.)

Now for some important parish news.  This past Thursday we made settlement on an office building at 81 Cooper Street, Woodbury.  The building was for sale for some time now.  With the approval of our parish finance council, the diocesan board of consultors and the permission of the bishop, it was purchased by the parish.  The intended future use of the building is as a consolidated parish office building.  The plans include various offices for the secretaries, bookkeeper, priests, deacons, religious education, and others housed under one roof.  The building itself is ready to undergo some cosmetic improvements as well a cleaning and “sprucing up” prior to our occupying it.

When the building was considered for purchase, the determining factors included its spaciousness, and its proximity to our church parking lot (next door), church (across the street), and rectory (diagonally across the street).  Currently, the parish priests and the deacons do not have sufficient offices from which to work.  Additionally, the priests literally live over the shop providing limited privacy during most of the day. This, and other issues, should be resolved with the proposed movement and consolidation.

If you pass the former Most Holy Redeemer property on Delsea Drive (Rt. 47), you can see the “for sale” signs present.  In fact, we are currently negotiating the terms of sale for all four of the buildings and the property at that location.  When the particulars are finalized, I will notify you in more detail.

At the mandate of the diocesan board of consultors, we are investigating and developing plans for our ministry center (former convent).  All possibilities are being considered while determining the current condition of the building, its suitability for future use, cost factors, etc.

When I began as pastor, I was made aware of eleven major buildings plus various other structures (garages, sheds, etc.) that the parish owned.  With the proposed sale and purchase, the number will become eight.  This will reduce the utilities, upkeep, insurance and other costs to the parish.  It should also make a dent in the current parish debt which is approximately $2.5 million.

Finally, I make you aware that we will begin our Catholic Strong campaign in the fall.  Most parishes are already conducting this campaign (supported by our diocese).  The bottom line is that it is a financial drive to fortify each parish on various levels—especially in its ministries.  An unprecedented 70% of the money raised stays in the parish with 30% supporting the diocese.  More details will be forthcoming over the summer months.

As pastor, the spiritual well-being of you, my parishioners, is my primary concern.  However, my responsibilities go far beyond, involving many fiscal matters.  Please pray for me.  I am truly grateful for your support at all levels.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Jesus Christ "Superstar"

Dear Parishioners,

On Easter Sunday eve, a live performance of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Jesus Christ Superstar was aired on national TV.  Before I watched it, I wondered if I should put on some bell bottom pants and a tie dye t-shirt to get in the mood.  What’s the buzz? . . . Tell me what’s a-happening . . . .   Perhaps a bit dated.

The fact that two musicals about Jesus (Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar) came to the big stage at about the same time (c. 1971) tells us of the continual curiosity and fascination with the identity of Jesus Christ and his Gospel message.  Every generation must ask itself what it makes of the person of Jesus and his claim to be the Son of God.

Jesus Christ Superstar may contain some catchy, vintage tunes, but it misses the mark as a statement of faith for Christians.  It is simply too shallow in its understanding of many mysteries of our Christian faith and its core beliefs.

First, depending on the visual interpretation, the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalen has regularly been questioned as inappropriate.  I Don’t Know How to Love Him can certainly imply something more than simply a platonic relationship between the two.  Granted, secular societies cannot grasp the value of celibacy and chastity and wonder if it is even possible. Does everyone have someone on the side? Was Mary Magdalen romantically in love with Jesus?  I am sure that Jesus loved Mary Magdalen in the way that God loves us all.  But to imply something further—even sexual—seems to cross the line.

The portrayal of Jesus’ apostles and disciples might be categorized as ignorant buffoons.  Judas, however, seems to be the one carefully calculating, deliberately questioning and generally pragmatic in his approach to Jesus.  The request by Peter and Mary Magdalen near the end (Could We Start Again Please?) seems reminiscent of a child’s do-over, once they realized the error of their ways.

Where there is an obvious lack of understanding by the creators of this musical is in the portrayal of the institution of Holy Eucharist.  For all you care, this wine could be my blood . . . For all you care, this bread could be my body.  While the next few lyrics become more definitive, the initial use of the word could leaves a person questioning and with some uncertainty about what just transpired.  The treatment of the Holy Eucharist, in my opinion, is horribly deficient and lacking mystery.

Finally, the premise of the entire show questions whether Jesus was indeed some Superstar.  Tragically, there is avoidance of any definitive statement concerning his Resurrection from the dead, and any definitive identification as the Son of God.

I realize that the creators of the musical were probably more concerned with its entertainment value and overall popularity more than any statement of faith. Jesus was portrayed like any important, influential, historical figure.  However, for a believer, the musical leaves one hungering for more substance, more understanding, more faith.  

To achieve this, I suggest reading and meditating on the Sacred Scriptures instead.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Attention All Fence-Sitters!

Dear Parishioners,

During this season of Lent, there have been a few readings that particularly caught my attention.

Jesus is quoted as saying to the Pharisees (Tuesday of the 5^th Week of Lent):  “For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” (Jn. 8:24)  What did Jesus just do here?  He associated Himself with the Divine Name given to Moses in the Burning Bush!  (See Ex. 3:14).

In the readings for the day before, Jesus spoke of God as His Father.  (See Jn. 8:16-19)  

In the Gospel of the Transfiguration (on the 2^nd Sunday of Lent—Mk. 9: 2-10), the voice from the cloud instructs:  “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”

Then there is the occasion during the Sermon of the Mount (Friday of the 1^st Week of Lent) where Jesus gives a command that apparently supersedes the Law of Moses: “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors You shall not kill,  . . . but I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” (Mt. 5:21-22)

If we search the Sacred Scriptures we will see Jesus saying things like:  “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn. 14:6); “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live” (Jn. 11:25) and “Unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.” (Jn. 6:53)  

I could certainly go on with similar quotes.

My point is that Jesus made some pretty bold, definitive statements challenging all people to decide regarding His identity:  Is He the Son of God or not?  If we say yes, then we had better pay attention to what He said and follow His commands. We need to be a disciple.  If we say no, then, like the Jewish authorities who accused Him of blasphemy and sought His death, He was no more than a liar, a fraud, evil, etc. 

This is how British writer C.S. Lewis described this situation:

              

I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.’  That is the one thing we must not say.  A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher.  He would either be a lunatic—on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell.  You must make your choice.  Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse.  You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God.  But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher.  He has not left that open to us.  He did not intend to.

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, 1952

As we approach Palm Sunday and begin the sacred days of Holy Week, may we all acknowledge and follow Jesus as our Lord, God and Savior.  

Christian discipleship requires a life-commitment to Him!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor