In his two-part episode of The Bishop Strickland Show for this week, Bishop Joseph Strickland provides profound insights into the enduring call of the episcopacy, the humanity of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, and the importance of embracing the supernatural miracles that form the foundation of the Catholic faith. His commentary underscores the need for a return to the basics of faith, where the divine reality intersects with the lived experience of the faithful. Here are the key takeaways from the episode.
The Reality of Jesus: Fully Human and Fully Divine
Bishop Strickland opens the episode by reflecting on the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-17. This passage, which traces the lineage of Our Lord, emphasizes His humanity and connects Him to the history of Israel. The bishop highlights this as a crucial element in understanding who Jesus is: “This Jesus Christ is a real man, has ancestors just like all of us, and those ancestors are connected to the whole history of Israel.”
The bishop continues, affirming that this genealogy underscores a vital truth: Jesus, while fully divine, was also fully human. “I think the Gospel writers included it because they really were emphasizing that this really was a man, Jesus of Nazareth, that really walked among them, walked this earth. But He was also God’s eternal Son.” This, he asserts, is central to knowing Jesus—His humanity is just as real as His divinity.
A Call to Reconsider the Retirement of Bishops
The conversation then shifts to an important ecclesiological issue: the retirement age for bishops, as mandated by Pope Paul VI’s motu proprio Ingravescentem Aetatem, which requires bishops to retire at age 75. Strickland argues that this policy should be reconsidered, as it undermines the concept of the episcopacy as a vocation, not just a job. “You don’t retire from [a] vocation. It’s a bad ecclesiology,” he says. “Imagine a nun saying, ‘Oh, I’m retired, I’m going to take my veil off and go do something else.’”
Bishop Strickland contends that the Church is not a corporation but a mystical body, and as such, bishops should continue their pastoral duties as long as they are able. “As long as your heart’s beating, you should be doing whatever the Lord is calling you to do.” He hopes the Church will one day rethink the concept of retirement for its clergy, particularly bishops, as it goes against the deeper spiritual nature of their call.
The Humanity of Mary and Joseph: Models of Faith and Obedience
In the second part of the episode, Bishop Strickland reflects on Matthew 1:18-25, which recounts the nativity of Jesus. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the humanity of Mary and St. Joseph. “I think it’s so important to remember that because then we can be inspired by them,” he notes. The bishop highlights Joseph’s reaction upon learning that Mary was pregnant, a moment of uncertainty that ultimately leads to his embrace of his divine call as the foster father of Jesus.
Strickland highlights the crucial moment when Joseph, after receiving the angel’s message, accepts his role. “Joseph … really in this Gospel is when he embraces his call to be the foster father of Jesus.” His obedience to God’s will, despite the personal uncertainty, is an inspiring model of faith for all Catholics.
The Virgin Birth: A Supernatural Miracle of Our Faith
Bishop Strickland also addresses the supernatural aspects of the nativity, particularly the virgin birth. He challenges those who attempt to deny the miraculous nature of Christ’s conception. “People say, ‘Oh, this wasn’t a virgin birth, they were just very nice people.’ No! It’s a miracle. Get over it, it’s a miracle.” The bishop insists that miracles are central to Catholic belief, with the virgin birth being just one of many. “We are a Church that believes in miracles. If you don’t believe in miracles, then you’re really not Catholic!”
This emphasis on miracles is not just a theological point; it is a call to embrace the supernatural in our daily lives, recognizing that God continues to intervene in the world in profound and mysterious ways.
Following the Truth of Christ: A Call to Obedience
In the final segment, Bishop Strickland reflects on the words of Pope John Paul II in Veritatis Splendor, which stresses the importance of following the truth that is revealed by Christ, rather than trying to create a personal version of truth. “To do what is true,” the bishop reiterates, “that’s our Catholic faith, that’s what it’s all about.” He warns against the temptation to “change the rules now because we need to update,” urging Catholics to remain firm in the truth of the Gospel, which does not change with the times.
Conclusion
Bishop Strickland’s reflections offer a timely reminder of the core truths of our faith: the humanity and divinity of Jesus, the unwavering vocation of bishops, the example of Mary and Joseph, and the need to embrace the supernatural miracles that define Catholic belief. His message is a call to return to the foundational aspects of our faith, where truth is not subject to change but is revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
