Memorial of Saint Josephat, bishop and martyr
(Titus 1:1-9; Luke 17:1-6)
St. Josephat would have been pleased with the Second Vatican Council. He was a bishop of the Byzantine Catholic Church which had to defend itself from the hegemony of Latin Catholics as well as of Orthodox. At Vatican II the Universal Catholic Church recognized eastern churches as more than “rites” within the Catholic Church celebrating the sacraments in unique ways. They became to be seen as true churches with independent leaderships working in coordination with the pope.
Working relations between the Orthodox and Catholics have improved only slowly. Even today there is suspicion in Moscow of the Catholic Church. Blessed John Paul II was so loved throughout the world that no doubt orthodox leaders worried that he would attract their flock to the Catholic fold given the opportunity to visit Russia.
So many wrongs have been perpetrated by Catholics and Orthodox over the centuries that Jesus’ command in today’s gospel to forgive seven times could serve only as a starter. Strong faith that solutions can be found without compromising the integrity of either branch of Christianity is on order. Such an accomplishment would be tantamount to having a mulberry tree march on demand into the sea.
