Jesus tell us that the branch that does not bear fruit is cut away and destroyed. Elsewhere we are told that by our fruits we are to be known and distinguished as followers of Christ. If we look to the word of God and apply the words we find there we can begin to get some idea of where change is needed and being called for. Sin requires repentance and the Church as an organisation when guilty of sin must repent as individual Christians. This requires , of course, much more than a simple request for forgiveness following upon an apology, however sincere these might be. It requires something much more fundamental: a hard look at the way things are and the direction being followed, and then a decision to make radical change; to seek a new direction and a new form of living. Out of the darkness of the events in Ireland good and light can emerge; if there is true repentance leading to real change. Maybe the Holy Spirit is speaking to the Church and calling for this new direction which in fact leads us away from dependence on worldly power and structures and leads us back to Christ and the journey in faith.
Throughout most of its history the Church has been a major power player in worldly affairs, at times indistinguishable from other powers in its methods, operation and values. There are many times when the Church has compromised its mission and chosen to follow the ways of the world instead of the narrow way that leads to salvation. Now there are signs in the Church that the familiar things are failing: lack of vocations, buildings closing, falling numbers in congregations, division and scandal and so on.
What to do in this situation? Do we cling to the sides of the rocking boat, as the disciples did as Jesus slept through the storm? Do we cling to the past and try to recreate things that were but have now gone? Do we seek to maintain and develop our worldly connections and influence by selling our souls as we have done in the past? No! we listen to the Spirit, we try to discern the will of God? We begin to pray from our hearts and to live the Gospel and we hear the call of Christ, get out of the boat and walk in faith on the stormy waters towards him.
