Probing the heart: 2nd Thursday of Easter

What are you talking about? No, it is not an accusation. It is an important question. We talk about what is important to us. In the words of the Baptist in today’s gospel (Jn 3:31-36), “He who is born of the earth is earthly himself and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven bears witness to the things he has seen and heard” (Jn 3:32).

Jesus puts it in another way in the gospel of Matthew, “But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart” (Mt 15:18). So, what have we been talking about lately?

Local Church in Singapore

I forgot to say that it took me a while to start posting again because I got distracted with activities. We had the presbyterium meeting and then I spent the whole weekend at the Choice retreat.

The meeting was, as usual, amusing. In these meetings, one always hopes to find some fellowship, but also some clear direction as where we are and where we are going as local church.

Perhaps what struck me most was a certain level of frustration. Nevermind the fact that Mass attendance in Singapore is about 80%, which, I presume, must be one of the highest in the world. We are frustrated. At least, that was what I concluded. Why? Well, it appears that the local church we have does not seem to fit with any one’s expectations.

Some priests would love to see hundreds of teenagers jumping up and down in the indoor stadium. A more vibrant church, they call it. Others would love to see less Catholics migrating to the Protestant side and more of the latter migrating to the Catholic side. Allegedly, the only way to achieve that would be competing with the separate brothers in being as “attractive” as they are.

Some yearn for the effectiveness that characterizes the corporate environment in Singapore, with high emphasis in having full-time fully-paid staff working for the church. In other words, a church that looks more like an efficient company. Others yearn for more solemn celebrations. Some would love to see a more socially committed church, while the ghost of the historical fear keeps haunting this alternative. Finally, all expect more understanding among all.

But… are we aware that if everyone is pushing for a different and exclusive model of church, we are all bound to be exhausted from too much pushing and frustrated for pushing all against each other?

Only if we make an effort to answer the crucial question, “What is the church?” can we all work in the same direction. However, the crucial question becomes forgotten and silenced by the shouts about the superficial matters. If we are not ready to address the fundamentals, we will spend the rest of our days beating around the bushes.

So, what is the church supposed to be like? What does it mean to be a lively church? Is there only one fixed model of a church that we all must strive to achieve or are there several compatible, acceptable and complementary models of a church?