Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven
staying in Jerusalem.
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd,
but they were confused
because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
Welcome to the Polish National Catholic Church. Whenever Father Andrew or I go somewhere people inquire about our parish. When we tell them we are from the Blessed Virgin Mary of Czestochowa Parish they say: ‘Oh, the Polish church.” Then they typically start asking us about various Roman Catholic prelates and priests. We gently tell them we are clergy of the Polish National Catholic Church. The typical response we receive: ‘Oh, do you have to be Polish to belong to that Church?’
Some are annoyed at having to explain that the Polish National Catholic Church is truly catholic, that is, universal. Personally I appreciate the opportunity to engage folks in a dialog. Each question is an opening and an opportunity to talk about our faith and beliefs.
The Polish National Catholic Church was established over 110 years ago to do one thing, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. At its inception it certainly ministered to Polish immigrants, in a language they could understand. It spoke to them in the same way the Apostles spoke to the gathered crowds in Jerusalem on Pentecost day. Those Polish immigrants proclaimed their joy. Like the inhabitants and visitors to Jerusalem they said:
“…yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues
of the mighty acts of God.—
While ethnic identity played a significant role in the Church’s early life, more so did Bishop Hodur’s message of reform.
The heroes of the PNCC, Jerome Savonarola, whose commemoration we celebrated this past Wednesday, and Jan Hus, among others, are all marked by their efforts at Church reform. Savonarola and Hus are martyrs to reform. That message of reform and renewal is the same message people long to hear today. Our history provides us with an opportunity to take up that mantle.
Along with the message of reform, Bishop Hodur and his successors proclaimed the Holy Spirit’s action in our conscience. As Bishop Hodur said:
In the life of a free Christian the voice of conscience is important and is the only healthy standard of human actions. Our conscience, therefore, is our master, our judge and our chastiser. This voice cannot be muffled with impunity. Human conscience can only be influenced by good example, that means, that humanity should be educated in moral matters not by the threat of punishment in hell, not only anathemas or torture but only by the proper education of man. I strongly believe in Divine light, the light of man’s reason and the light of humanity.
Today we speak English, Spanish, Polish, Lithuanian, Norwegian, French, and many other languages. We work on three continents. We are alive solely by the power of the Holy Spirit who is active in each thing that we do.
Our charism and spirituality are something we bear before all people. As St. Paul reminds us:
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;
there are different workings but the same God
who produces all of them in everyone.
We are not brand A, B, or C. We are the PNCC, a strong catholic witness to the Catholic faith. A faith that cannot be restrained within the walls of a church, nor within charitable institutions. It is a living and breathing faith that must be proclaimed in what we say and do each day.
Jesus didn’t intend for us to sit in a comfortable place. He calls all to change, grow, and develop, holding true to what is true, and reforming what is broken. He calls all to the challenge of proclaiming the gospel. The challenge of bringing God’s light to the conscience of mankind.
Jesus said to them again, —Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.—
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
—Receive the Holy Spirit…”
Yes, each of us, when we reached sufficient age and education, received that gift. On our Confirmation Day the Bishop extended his hands over us and said those very same words: “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit was breathed into us and we took up the commission: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.—
We have certainly tripped along the way, we have been weak, we have failed in our courage and conviction. Yet He waits. Yet the Holy Spirit continues to call us back and energizes us.
—Receive the Holy Spirit…”
…and do something powerful with what you have received.
Speak to the crowds with the languages you have been given. Speak to the people and make use of the gifts you have received. Speak truth and power, and proclaim the name of Jesus Christ.
