In today’s gospel John & James ask Jesus to sit at his right and left in the kingdom.  Jesus tells them it is not for him to give but they will drink from his cup.  The other apostles grumble and are told in order to do what God wants, in order to be leaders they all must first and foremost be servants & slaves to others.  Now what has this to do with the abuse crises?  I posit that the desire to be served and not to serve has overtaken some of the hierarchy.  They want to be first in the eyes of ‘man’ so forget the serving part of their jobs. 

Who was served by the lies told to the faithful?  Who was served by the protection of abusers?  Who was served by the attempt to deflect blame from the men complicit in this horrible action taken by a few, (relatively), sick men?  My answer is, not God. 

I’m no saint but I try to be.  I know, know, know how difficult it is to live life according to the gospel of Christ and I understand everyone sins.  When that happens though, sin, we are obliged to ask forgiveness through the sacrament of reconciliation and try again to live our lives as God intends.  The answer is God first me last.  That is what seems to have been forgotten on a large-scale by many priests today.  Jesus stated it very clearly for ALL OF US.