August 19, 2018 - Continuing the Trip to Fatima, Portugal

I am continuing my reflections today from my recent trip to Fatima, Portugal where I attended the Twelfth International Gathering of Teams of Our Lady from July 16-22, 2018.
 
While participating in the conference, I was also very moved by a presentation by Father Jacinto Farias, former Spiritual Counselor to the ERI (Leading Team for Teams of Our Lady) who talked about “Experiencing God’s Compassionate Justice.”  He reminded us of the need always to care for our neighbors and the people on the fringes of society.  We must imitate God in everything we do and be indifferent to no one.  In addition, when we give to others in a significant way, we may then have a true encounter with the Lord.  In the parable of the woman who was caught in the act of committing adultery and was about to pay the consequences of her sin, Jesus saves her by directing this admonition to her accusers, “Let the one who has never sinned cast the first stone.”  Jesus kneels and begins to write on the ground with his finger.  He does not stop to castigate the woman. He does not rant angrily at her. He does not stare at her with eyes that are filled with blame and hatred.  Instead, He turns His gaze away from the woman and, in doing so, He gives her respect.  Jesus forgives her and saves her from being stoned to death.  Her life is saved because of the mercy of God.  She may then return to her husband, even with her shame, who will forgive her.  Together they can then reconcile and become true followers of Christ.  They may become members of the community of Jesus, and their vision of justice will be a merciful one.  Particularly in modern society, mercy does not always relate to justice.  Often today’s judicial system operates with a set of laws that must be followed “to the letter.”
 
This system of justice is decidedly different from the system of God.  With God, mercy is given even when we are not deserving of it.  We must question the morality and ethics of a judicial system that hands down punishment without the presence of mercy.  Love, alone, is capable of the sensitivity and empathy that lead to true merciful justice.
 
Pope John Paul II reminded us that God has a compassionate heart, and we can never forget this.  We, as humans, who are full of preconceived attitudes and selfish perceptions, are incapable of merciful justice.  Only God has this capacity.  God, like the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son, is all-loving.  His love is so great that even when we make poor judgments that hurt Him, He, like the Father, is able to open his arms to embrace us in an outpouring love like no other.  His mercy leads to justice.  Indeed, His forgiveness of our sins—His pardon—is the most perfect form of love.  In pardoning us, as sinners, He shows us the most perfect form of love.  We can never forget this!  We sin.  We hurt ourselves.  We hurt others, but God is our loving Father who sees us as His beloved children whom he loves completely.  God will forgive us.  Only God can show us mercy and total love.  His mercy brings us salvation.  His loving embrace is one of mercy.  Keeping this in mind, we can never forget to place God in the very center of our lives, for the love of God transforms everything.

Father Farias concluded his talk by reminding us that as we leave Fatima for the outside world, we must hold fast to the knowledge of God’s infinite love for mankind.  We must strive to show that love every day.
 
Finally, let me respond to a question that I was asked after returning from trip to Fatima.  The question is this:  What is Teams of Our Lady?  Teams of Our Lady is an international lay movement in the Catholic Church designed to enrich marriage spirituality and make good marriages better.  Teams provide a proven method of increasing and improving prayer life, which will help couples grow closer to God and each other.  At the same time, the family will reap the benefits as well.
 
A team is comprised of five to seven couples whose marriage is recognized in the Catholic Church.  The team meets one time per month, rotating from one home to another. If a couple’s home cannot accommodate the entire team, the group can meet in a church-meeting room or outside, if possible.  Some teams may have a spiritual counselor or Priest Spiritual Counselor as part of their team.  The Priest Spiritual Counselor comes to the meeting to provide his theological knowledge and expertise.  The team shares a simple meal, sharing on the endeavors, and a study topic.  The team becomes a close community that can inspire one another through their living examples of faith, and share with one another their struggles and successes on their way to holiness.  The Teams of Our Lady is offered to couples throughout the world in order to help them live out their married spirituality.  Couples from all stages of life (newly married, child rearing and empty nesters) can be part of a Teams.  It is not parish based, but it is advisable for couples to live in the same geographic area.  Since it is a lay movement, lay couples hold all positions of responsibility.
 
Until next week,
Fr. John