I have recently come to notice how often Jesus condemns individual person or communities as hyprocrites. It is interesting because within his public ministry we see that he is profoundly merciful to people who might be living less then exemplar moral lives. He seems to be more condemnatory to those who seem to be selective in their application of moral principles. This includes people who condemn certain behaviors, conduct, or even values within a certain context while showing support for these very same behaviors, conduct, or values in other contexts. He is able to see how profoundly hypocritical it is to condemn someone while not looking to see if you are ‘without sin’ (John8:1-11) He also reminds people to concern themselves less about the splinter in their neighbor’s eye while not seeing the plank in one’s own eye (Matthew 7:3-5). I have recently found myself coming to a boil (and more) in how Christians, and here I will be even more direct in calling out my fellow Catholics, seem to have reduced our Catholic Identity to moral issues which have absolutely nothing to do with the teachings of the Master. I realize as I say this, I am engaging in somewhat of a ‘sloppy’ intellectual position which lacks nuance, however I will show you why I don’t care! For me to explain my current mood (both intellectual, emotional and even spiritual) I have to go back to some earlier experiences.
I have been teaching Catholic morality and ethics in a formal institutional setting since about the mid-90s. At the time I was teaching at Moreau High School (now Moreau Catholic High School). The curriculum in the religion department was what was typical of many schools at this time (mid 90s) for a Catholic School. We obviously had some wonderful\, creative and committed teachers at the school. We also had a wonderful administration and staff as well. One of the standard classes offered was a Catholic morality or introduction to ethics class. What was going on in the larger social arena was the rise of many right-wing cultural forces. An obvious embodiment of this reality was found in the newfound popularity and power of Rush Limbagh. He was a powerful force in shaping cultural, political discourse. While there were others that peddled their wares in a similar vein, he was the architect of the new wave of right wing talk show format. Coming off a tumultuous 80s period that saw the rise of things like the AIDS epidemic and the raise of a bizarre type of Christian fundamentalism this included a powerful resurgence of people and voices like James Dobson and Jerry Falwell. Part of this cultural ‘stew’ was the rise of deep concern for how ‘the left’ was forcing us to all be politically correct. This is also a precursor to what is now being called ‘cancel culture’. or woke culture. The imposition of certain realities, like living with other sentient (and non-sentient) life forms. While it may appear that I am being glib or sarcastic about the recent wave of ‘anti-woke’ rhetoric, I remind the students that when I am in deep sleep I truly don’t hear or see anything of what is found in my immediate (or distant environment). If there is a dog in the house, I don’t see or hear the creature. I don’t smell brewing coffee until after I ‘wake up’ I actually don’t really see where the sun (or moon) is on its daily trajectory. I still find it staggering that we, in the United States, are against people being ‘woke’ as we live in a world that is rapidly collapsing around us. Particularly since we, as a country, are one of the major factors in causing the collapse. I will be honest, I definitely have used sleep to be in denial of realities that were painful in my life, but even at my worse, I was able to recognize it as a dysfunctional as hell pattern for dealing with my problems…. but I digress? LOL
One of the most often heard comments in my class, during the period mentioned above (1990s-2000s) particularly when we covered certain moral topics and ethical issues, specifically; abortion and homosexuality was ‘Mr. Sanchez, I don’t understand why it’s so important to talk about this in a Catholic school when JESUS NEVER TALKED ABOUT THIS! (capital letters are mine!! let me say it again…CAPITAL LETTERS ARE MINE!). The ‘standard’ answer that I would give was something like this “Yes, but there are a lot of things that Jesus didn’t talk about, but we as People of Faith, and followers of Jesus Christ are called to respond to and have a position on, so, while, you are correct, he never, ever talks about these issues, we should have an opinion (well informed…from within a properly formed conscience) about all issues of importance in our contemporary world.” For many years this response was sufficient to me (not always to them) every year the question was posed anew. Being a fairly new teacher I did get slightly annoyed at the question. However, I was also a thoughtful teacher and realized that the question was germane to the topics that we were covering and also, obviously, of interest to the world of the students.
As the years progressed, I was aware at the incredible accommodations that Catholic ethics (and Catholic ethicist) was (and were) making, not only to certain voices, but also to the importance of certain issues, in the name of a bizarre and warped sense of Catholic Identity. I realized that when virtually anyone spoke of whether someone (person) or some institution (hospital, university, high school even church!) was ‘really’ Catholic it had to do with a very specific articulation of a position on these (and some slightly adjacent) issues. It was staggering to me that such a vibrant and robust intellectual tradition as the moral and ethical insights of the Catholic Church was reduced to such an imbecilic and parochial level. It was imbecilic in the way it seemed to lose all capacity for nuance, which is a hallmark of all moral thinking within the Catholic Church. It was parochial (pardon the pun!) precisely in it reducing the rich, multi-layered, and dynamic moral and ethical living tradition into something which reflected the thinking of an obdurate adolescent, caught in the throes of their own narcissistic self-centeredness. (Remember I have worked with this population for decades; I know of what I speak! LOL)
It is now 2026. I find myself being even more frustrated, appalled, and outraged at what has occurred not only in our Catholic church but in the social reality that Catholics have created, particularly in the United States. It is in this context that I write this entry. I have come to see not only the errors of my way personally, but even more insidious the way in which the ruling class has once again weaponized the Christian movement in general, and the Catholic church in particularly to do the bidding of the evil ones in power. I am deeply aware that I am using very freighted language. I do believe it is warranted given the reality we are living in. You can decide for yourself if it is an adequate way of understanding what has occurred and is occurring. I was deeply plagued by doubts and misgivings about the way I would answer this question which is still being asked by my students. I feel a need to state here that the past 2 years I have actually met former students of mine…during Back to School Night. This means that some of my former students are now parents of children that I am currently teaching in my classes! This phenomenon may have occurred earlier, but I have never had this experience until recently. It is very humbling. But it also causes me to rethink what are the ‘answers’ we are giving the students? The more I assessed the situation I realized that the question was not only inadequate but in a very foundational way inaccurate.
You see, Jesus didn’t say anything about abortion, homosexuality, or transgender identity, rights etc. But what was missing in my response and frankly is missing in all theological/ethical discussion as far as I can tell is an almost complete abandonment of WHAT HE DID SAY!!! What has happened is that we have for all intents and purposes completely abandoned all teachings of the Master. This is particularly important given that the Catholic Catechism states that Christ “established and ever sustains here on earth his holy Church, the community of faith, hope, and charity, as a visible organization through which he communicates truth and grace to all men” (LG 8 §1) In somewhat simplistic terms the Church is to be a visible sign of Jesus Christ on earth. The crucial element about this is that while on earth this Jesus of Nazereth spoke many words and offered many ACTUAL TEACHINGS! While we can (and should) hold with some humility the things that he did not address (abortion, labor unions, nuclear war, gender identity, rights of unborn babies etc.) we can NEVER NEGATE THE TEACHING HE DID OFFER US! I am not saying don’t hold a position on these issues, which he did not speak about. I am asserting that these positions be shaped by what he did speak about. His ACTUAL TEACHINGS. Even using this method, I do think there can be a wide spectrum of positions on contemporary issues that are Christian (Christ-Like).
As I get closer to the end of this entry, I want to remind some things that Jesus did TEACH, SAY AND LIVED. I also want to remind people of how I began this entry. I believe that I have a strong position in calling a helluva lot of my Catholic Sisters and Brothers hypocrites. Yes, it is done precisely in the spirit of the Master. Lest people accuse me of being a hypocrite myself I will speak about an example from my own life in how I have tried to avoid this trajectory. I am also aware that we are a living tradition and that we are all ‘along the way’. I am not saying anyone (including me!) is forever stuck in their own position, I have changed in many ways myself (frequently thanks to the wonderful teachings of my students!) In this entry I am challenging all of us to look at our ethical heritage in a fresh manner.
I have stated before that Jesus did say certain things. I want to go over some of these: “Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.”. (Matthew 26: 52) I know there is a danger in selecting sections out of context, I am also aware we can argue about the accuracy of the translation of the text. However, no matter how one parses out this text you are hard pressed to find a way to get a Catholic to support the LARGEST MILITARY BUDGET IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD! Or to bullshit yourself into thinking that the possessor of this military can conduct a Just War that our Master would approve!
I am reminded about the wonderful line of Jesus when he is excoriating his followers (that would be us!) for doing the following; “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?”(Matthew 7:3). It is interesting to think that many of us claim to have a deep and personal relationship with Jesus, but when we cite this text, he seems to always be referring to someone else?
I will only use one more example; when speaking about being a leader in the community, and speaking with authority he says, “It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26) He also states that the first will be last, and the last first. One can begin to see a clear pattern emerging.
When we address very, very important issues that are contemporary and controversial, we are right to point out that Jesus didn’t address these issues specifically but to pretend that we are called to engage in with these issues in the same way as everyone else is a tremendous betrayal of what the Master DID SAY! DID TEACH! DID LIVE! I think it is imperative that we have a position on abortion, transgendered rights etc. but we have to do it from within the real, living and actual tradition of what he taught and how he lived. And even then, we have to be willing to be honest, and humble about the fact that we don’t know (absolutely) what he would say or do. Again, I am not saying you have to believe lock step as I do on issues that he did not address such as abortion, homosexuality, etc. and also things like labor unions, Capitalism as an economic system etc. I have positions on all of these issues, and many more, but I am aware that I have to be forthright about what is educated guess work (hopefully informed by the Spirit) and actual words and deeds from his life.
I want to close by using an example from my own life to share why this is so important. I hope and pray that I live a life of integrity…. faltering though it may be at times. I am no doubt a sinner, what I want not to do is be a hypocrite. Many, many years ago, my brothers were violently attacked and beaten close to death. I recall for years (yep, years!) afterwards I wanted the men that were responsible for their injuries and the suffering that they caused my family to be killed. I want to be exceedingly clear; I wanted them dead. I wanted no mercy, no ‘niceness’ no ‘justice’ nothing of that nature to be shown to these young men. I remind my students, that the person that wanted this was Rene Sanchez. Me. Rene Sanchez. Me. I will say it in another way, NOT JESUS, NOT GOD! I didn’t want to play the bullshit game of trying to put the ‘seal of approval’ or “imprimatur” on this decision or desire. It is what I wanted to have happen, not anyone else. I certainly am not going to pretend that I can twist the Masters’ words to support my petty little, ego driven desire. Is what happened a tragedy? yes, absolutely. I have been blessed precisely by following the genuine teachings of Jesus Christ to find everlasting, serenity and joy (not superficial happiness) in forgiving those who have hurt me and those that I love. Did it take work? Yes, no doubt. Did I arrive at liberation from the prison created by own hatred, and desire for revenge. Yes! Did I do it alone, No! I did it with the Grace of God, including him working through me and other people. To love as Jesus teaches us to love is a work in progress and a profound commitment to servanthood. This does not begin with denying any of our realities. I make no apologies for what I felt or thought. But it does begin with what Jesus called “The Truth”. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” It begins with accepting that not everything I want, think or feel is necessarily the truth. I think we would do well to enter all dialogue about things Jesus ‘didn’t talk about’ with a healthy dose and emphasis on what he ‘did talk about’ and how he lived his life. His path is for me a central element of living in the real world. It is not only not a world of my creation (thank God!) but contains a road broad enough to include so many fellow travelers. As the famous line sometimes attributed to Ram Dass (or Rumi) says: “We are all just walking each other home”
Prophetic Ruminations 