Theological Foundations

Homily - Msgr Cody

09.12.09 - Letter to the Hibernians

Dear Hibernians of the State of Ohio,
Recently, our new President, Joe Casey, asked me to serve as your chaplain. I am honored to do this, and appreciate the trust and confidence he has placed in me. I am a priest of the Diocese of Columbus, and have served as AOH chaplain of the Patrick Pearse chapter of AOH here in Columbus. I'm also a canon lawyer, and Adjutant Judicial Vicar for the Tribunal of the Diocese of Columbus. I stay busy! From time to time, I think it's important to reflect on what it means to be a chaplain and how this office can enhance and enrich any organization that has one.
The very word, "chaplain" reminds us of the word "chapel", which we know as a place of prayer and worship. Since the beginning of the Judeo-Christian revelation by God of his love and presence among us, including the fullness of God's revelation in Jesus, the laity have looked for guidance and leadership from those chosen, set apart and trained to serve the spiritual needs of believers. Because the chaplain comes from among the people, the chaplain understands the needs and concerns of people, and helps them to discover the deeper meaning of 'reality by reflecting on God's Word and what is contained in the deposit of faith, that is, Holy Scripture and the Tradition of the Church. This of course, includes for Catholics the teachings of the Popes and Bishops, the Magisterium of our Church.
The model of the perfect chaplain, spiritual leader, or however you wish to refer to this person is, naturally, Jesus our Savior. As a Jewish rabbi, he knew well the Law and the Prophets, and he never hesitated to broach uncomfortable topics with the Jewish people of his day. It is often said that Jesus came to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. I'm sure that we're all aware of the fact that his preaching and mission were not universally heeded and appreciated. He never dodged controversial issues issues and cleverly avoided those who tried to trap him in his speech, or who in various ways were out to get him. Some of his most stinging rebukes were reserved for those who were laying for him. He called the scribes and Pharisees whitened sepulchers, blind guides, and hypocrites, among other things. In a similar way, chaplains imitate Jesus when they bring the comfort and support of God and religion to those who are suffering or confused, and they challenge and confront evil when it rears its ugly head. They also try to assist those they serve to make connections between their belief and their every day lives.
No chaplain wants to sow seeds of discord within a community. By nature, the chaplain is a teacher, minister and reconciler. But there are times and issues when the truth needs to be elucidated. That's the chaplain's job. Most of the time, the chaplain tries to do this in a gentle way, to persuade people to look at things differently than they are used to. Often, the chaplain, and indeed, any religious leader will be accused of dabbling in politics when commenting on the issues of the day. I clearly recall that a prominent Catholic, cabinet minister in a recent Presidential administration, went on record calling Pope John Paul II naďve in his critique of Captalism as an economic system. The Pope never condemned it, only pointed out its limitations and potential to do harm when it is unbridled and free of regulation. There are bound to be disagreements to whatever the chaplain says. Most of them, it is to be hoped, will not be put to death as Jesus was. But it's never a good idea to shut our ears and close our hearts to the men and women who are our religious leaders. Yes, we should evaluate whatever is said and taught with our healthy, well formed critical faculties. Ther will be times when reasonable people disagree. Nevertheless we need to invoke the presence of the Holy Spirit to help us know the truth that will set us free, as Jesus proclaimed. That's just some of what a chaplain is supposed to do.
It's a great privilege to be a chaplain. It's not taken lightly by whoever serves as one. We Irish can be a hard-headed lot, but we're also fierce defenders of the truth.
The chaplain can help us in our search for the truth and help us see how our faith tradition speaks to the great issues of our day. Like you, the chaplain a hard-headed Irishman and a seeker of the truth.
It's an honor to be your chaplain!

God bless always,

Msgr. John K. Cody, Ohio AOH Chaplain