A number of you have heard about the impending, seemingly, excommunication of SSPX, about the Synod of Synodality’s group 9 report that contradicts and mischaracterizes centuries of Church teaching, or the German Bishop’s ongoing defiance of Rome.  We have some of our own Bishops in the United States who have been removed from their seat, a prominent exorcist that was recently removed from his position, and popular podcasters who speak of infiltration and others who undermine the Church’s teaching on marriage and gender.

I have heard the questions, the frustrations, fear and anger, and so many people who are fighting the spirits of judgment and just trying to comprehend how our Church can be in such a place; wondering how this happened.

We are reminded, however, that the health of the people of God and His Church is not a reflection on the Faith or of God’s love for us.  Nor is it a call for despair or hopelessness.  Rather, it is a sign of things as they have been from the beginning: that we are a world in need, we are a people of sinners, and we are in the middle of a fight between the powers of this world and the powers of heaven.  But also, that we are a people chosen by God and we have seen the way to eternal life; we have been given all that is necessary to overcome the powers of this world and He will not abandon us.  This is not an empty promise, but is backed up by generations and centuries of His faithfulness and the victory of the Church (or Temple).

Remember the days of our Lord, and all of the powers of the Temple, the Pharisees, the Sadducees the Elders and even many of the Israelites, who had lost their way; who had been overcome by the spirits of greed, of lust for power, of arrogance and self-righteousness; remember also the many who had been led astray and pulled into ignorance and confusion.  Our Lord did not come to destroy them.  He even told the disciples and the people to listen to them (the Pharisees), but do not do as they do.  He called them to repentance and to a return to the true faith.  And, as we hear in today’s Gospel, He sent the Disciples first “to the lost sheep of Israel.”

The fact that we are lost, and there are even those in high positions within the Church today, who are lost, does not mean that they are no longer His sheep, nor part of the flock that belongs to Him.

Go first to the lost sheep of Christ (we may say), to those who have fallen away, who have fallen to false spirits and do not be afraid, because our Lord has sent His servants to find them and restore them to health.  Help us to strengthen the Church, that she may go forth and then be a light for all.