If Jesus came in His physical, glorified body to your church for Easter, would He be accepted? What if He decided to cleanse the sanctuary? Would the ushers apprehend Him? (Jn 11:59) What if Jesus said He didn't believe in our American lifestyle and its influence on the lifestyles of the members of our parish? Would we be open to the truth?

There is "a plan afoot to kill" Christ (Jn 11:53). Does your parish want Jesus interfering with the parish business? Is your parish more interested in their sanctuary than in the salvation of the nations? " 'What are we to do,' they said, 'with this Man performing all sorts of signs? If we let Him go on like this, the whole world will believe in Him. Then the Romans will come in and sweep away our sanctuary and our nation' " (Jn 11:47-48).

Many churches tone things down and limit God's power, so they don't lose many lukewarm members, while they refuse to let the Holy Spirit be an active Member of their church. "In consequence, Jesus no longer moved about freely in" those "circles. He withdrew instead to a town called Ephraim in the region near the desert, where He stayed with His disciples" (Jn 11:54). Jesus withdraws instead to underground church homes in Communist countries, to "base communities" in the Third World countries, to small, unnoticed prayer groups, small congregations, etc.

"What do you think? Is He likely to come for the feast?" (Jn 11:56)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 3, 2006 & September 18, 2006

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.