Image from The Village Reporter, Montpelier, OH
A microcosm is a community, place, or situation regarded as encapsulating in miniature the characteristic qualities or features of something much larger. This is the relationship that I believe can exist between a local parish and the universal Catholic Church.
When I shared my distress with my husband a few months ago over the state of the Church and the ongoing revelations of the sex abuse scandal, I was a bit upset with him for not being of like mind with my angst. He hadn't been following any news at all since Donald Trump was elected President of the United States, and I felt like he was sticking his head in the sand. He said something about the "microcosm" of our parish church, how much he likes the people and enjoys the messages, etc., but I wasn't ready to consider his idea then. Now with my realization of having been "frog boiled" by the anti-Pope Francis posse, of having been sucked into the vortex of suspicion and elitism of ultra-traditionalists on social media, I'm totally on board with my husband's approach.
This fall I joined the Rosary Altar Society, a women's group at our parish. Last evening we hosted our church's annual chili and soup supper for the community on voting day. My family had never attended this event. The food was amazing, and there was a spectacular turn out. I enjoyed being a part of serving our church and our town, bringing people together and nourishing them body and soul. I found the picture at the top of this post on the Internet, of some of our church ladies from the chili/soup supper a few years ago.
Our parish is small but active, with a lot of young families and people of all ages, and a sister parish in a nearby town with which we share a priest. The Mass is the typical Ordinary Form, complete with Eucharistic ministers and altar servers that include females. Lay men and women serve as commentators and lectors as well. We have a wonderful choir and sing standard hymns. The architecture and decor of the church is humble but homey. It's the stuff the ultra-traditionalists, who believe the Tridentine (Latin) Mass is superior, regularly deride.
My husband is a lector, our teenage daughter is an altar server, and this year, with the Rosary Altar Society, I've found a place to be of service as well. The people of our parish are kind, friendly, generous, and welcoming. Spirits are fed in this community. Our church evangelizes by providing a home for local Catholics to worship together, and we reach out in love and service to our neighbors. We are simple witnesses to Jesus. And in so being, we build up and heal the Body of Christ. We are a microcosm of what the Church truly is, despite the failures and shortcomings we sometimes see in the news. This is the way of hope.
So if you are still reeling from all of the negativity that has been brewing during Francis' pontificate, which obscures the good work and powerful message of the Holy Father, the most profound way you can help the Church is to pray, pray, pray, and be a positive member of your local parish. My family's parish is blessed to have an amazing bishop who radiates joy and enthusiasm for the Catholic Faith, so do extend your participation to your larger diocese community if possible. Focus on the grace that you receive from the sacraments, and be deeply thankful if you live in a place where you can regularly receive them.
Read Pope Francis' own words, rather than relying upon comments taken out of the context; and avoid the interpretations of the news media and self-appointed Catholic policemen of social media. This is a time to make your faith stronger through adversity. When you feel you are suffering, offer that up for the poor souls in purgatory or someone whose cross is heavier than your own. Be the microcosm of the communion of faithful saints.
