August 15, 2020
Bishop Larry Silva celebrates the Mass of the Holy Spirit Aug. 20 at Michael Church, Waialua, marking the opening of the school year. (Photo courtesy of Dann Ebina)
To all Catholic school educators in the Diocese of Honolulu
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Peace be with you!
Even though each school is having its own Mass of the Holy Spirit because the coronavirus prevents us from having our traditional island-wide gathering, be assured of my solidarity with all of you as I celebrate Mass with St. Michael School, Waialua. Thank you for your dedication to the children in our schools and their families.
Now, more than ever, our Catholic schools are needed in these very trying times. Yes, of course, they are needed during the pandemic, because the children still need their friends, socialization with others, and the spiritual and intellectual stimulation that our schools offer and that they may have missed during the lockdown. In addition, however, I would like to point out several challenges that I am confident we can meet together.
Knowing, loving, and serving God in Jesus Christ. In these days there is an alarming growth in what I call “ego-theism;” that is, the often unspoken belief by the individual that “I am god. I make all the decisions about what is true and what is not; about when life begins and when it should end; about my gender; about history.” If every individual is god, there will be serious conflicts and divisions. When we put the true and living God revealed in Jesus Christ at the center of our lives, we no longer feel the need to be gods ourselves, and this will lead to greater harmony. Our schools are great infrastructures for sharing this freeing message day in and day out.
Discerning truth from half-truth or falsehood. Along with ego-theism, we also face the difficulty of distinguishing truth from falsehood. There is true science and there is politicized “science” or pseudo-science. There is history based on facts and “history” based on ideological myths that are perpetuated. There is an anthropology based in the gospel that affirms the dignity of every human person, though every human being is somehow affected by sin; and there is a flawed anthropology that denies the dignity of certain classes of people or that denies the effects of sin. The faith we share in our Catholic schools should enable us to teach and live out a true anthropology that we are beloved creatures of God and function best individually and socially when we follow God’s commandments. It is our challenge and privilege to dig deeply into Jesus’ affirmation that he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Our Catholic (universal) way of life. In recent discussions of race relations and other social challenges in our country, there is a too-facile portrayal of heroes and villains, of oppressors and victims. There is a glorification of victimhood and a consequent “neo-chivalry” that fights for the supposed victims. The result of all of this is division and suspicion of one another. There is a manufacturing of “rights” and outrage when those “rights” are perceived to be violated. Our Catholic sense of life is that we are all different, from different cultures and languages, and each person and culture needs to be affirmed and purified; but that we are all one family in the Lord. I recall the Archbishop of Jerusalem saying that Catholic schools in the Holy Land bring hope, because the Christian, Muslim and Jewish children who attend learn first-hand that they can be friends and not perennial enemies. This is the kind of unity that is so much needed in our world. We do not water down our Catholic teachings, but we witness to their beauty as a means of affective evangelization.
Focus on Ultimate Realities. We live in a very pragmatic culture, which often teaches us that the most important things in life can be measured, must be functional, and must produce something for us. While there is nothing intrinsically wrong with these stances, they can become very shallow. As Catholics we believe in sacraments, simple gestures and rituals that have infinitely profound meaning. We believe life here on earth is a gift, but that there is a better, fuller life that longs for our participation in heaven. So while we rightfully measure the success of our schools by testing, grades and accreditation standards, our Catholic schools must always be measured by how well we have shared the infinite love of God, made present in Jesus and in his beloved Church. Therefore, prayer, Scripture reflection, and faith sharing should never be “subjects” in the curriculum but create a permeating atmosphere of praise to the God who made us, who redeems us, and who longs for us to be with him forever.
Yes, these are heavy challenges, and our Catholic schools are so important in imparting these values and realities. But I am certain the Lord will use all of you to accomplish his will in fun, in joy, and in great love.
Aloha to you all!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Larry Silva
Bishop of Honolulu
