The Time to Be Prophetic and Give Repose is Now
Yunuen Trujillo
Today’s reflection is by Bondings 2.0 contributor Yunuen Trujillo.
Today’s liturgical readings for the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time here.
“Woe to the shepherds
who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture,
says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:1)
To our readers, I must give you a heads-up: today, I have a fire in my heart, one more akin to Jesus flipping tables than my usual calm. This fire of righteous disbelief burns at the way many who currently shepherd our church mislead from the pulpit. Perhaps if I tell you what happened last weekend, you will understand why.
Ever since I moved residences, I’ve been searching for a new spiritual home. My old parish of 20 years is now an hour away, making it harder to attend Mass there. So, after a long search, I found a new parish that seemed welcoming, and thought I had found a new spiritual home. Last week, I attended Mass there.
The Mass began with an unusual monologue from the pastor about violence, which was understandable given a recent assassination attempt on a presidential candidate. His call for peaceful ways was timely and seemed appropriate. However, something felt quite off, though I couldn’t pinpoint why.
I tried to refocus as the Mass continued, until we reached the homily offerd by the deacon. “This is a spiritual battle,” he declared. Yet, he wasn’t referring to the recent violence. Rather, he portrayed the same political candidate as leading Christians in a spiritual battle and any opposing persons as agents of evil. He continued: “The world tells us we are supposed to welcome people in so-called ‘gay marriages’ and [insert other marginalized groups here] . . . but this spiritual battle will be won.”
Wait, what? In a flash, an anti-violence homily about a specific incident turned into an anti-gay and anti-marginalized groups sermon. Regardless of the party or political group one supports, that is a far and unfair stretch.
As I listened, my heart raced. I did not come to Mass to be indirectly harassed that day. It felt like a speech from the 2014 election season, not 2024, especially after the Church’s ongoing journey through a synodal process, listening to and discerning stories, including the stories of those who are marginalized.
Then the deacon said, “You see those empty pews? They’re empty because we Catholics have not proclaimed the truth. We must no longer be ashamed of speaking truth. We must be brave.” Strangely, I agreed with that last statement, but I doubt my interpretation was what he intended.
I sensed unrest among some in the pews—young people looking puzzled, parents in clear discomfort, elderly people afraid to dissent. I was there, hungry for a new spiritual home, yet left spiritually hungry along with others after the Word was preached. But the true feast, the Eucharist, was yet to come.
Icon of Mary Magdalene
After Communion, my heart knew what to do. An idea, a voice in my heart that said “be brave, proclaim and witness, feed the hungry, shake the dust.” It felt like a type of fire inside me resonant with Mary Magdalene, whose feast day is tomorrow: the kind that invites us to witness even if people won’t believe us or will outright reject us. It had the added touch of being something I would never do.
Towards the end of Mass, after all solemn parts had passed and parish announcements were read, they invited those with upcoming birthdays to come forward. So, I did. After stating my name and receiving a blessing, I turned around, looked at the people in the pews and — in my regular voice which can be loud, and in a totally calm and respectful tone— said the following: “I am an LGBTQ person, I am a Catholic, I am civilly married, and I am also … church. Peace be with you”.
For a second I saw their faces, some astonished, some surprised, some puzzled, some happy. A clap erupted in some areas, and as I walked away, I heard a few ‘thank you for saying that’ comments. The Mass send-off continued as usual.
Today’s readings and Gospel remind us that the Lord is our shepherd, that He gives us repose, not heartache. We hear that His goodness and kindness follow us all the days of our lives, that those who were once far off are now near through the Blood of Christ, and that our hearts must be moved when we see people without a shepherd.
When those who shepherd us fail, we must be there for each other and stand up with each other. We must feed each other even if only with reflection, friendship, and witness. We witness for those who need it and for those who are open to listening. We must continue sharing our stories whenever it’s safe, respectfully and within dedicated spaces when available, but also pushing the boundaries within windows of opportunity. Not doing so would send many people hungry, hopeless, and astray.
You might not do what I did that day, but the Holy Spirit will show you those shepherding opportunities: be brave, witness, and give repose. More than ever, the time to be prophetic is now.
—Yunuen Trujillo (she/her), New Ways Ministry, July 21, 2024
Brava!!!
Thanks for your beautiful witness, Yunuen! Your words made my heart swell with joy! Such prophetic actions help to teach, heal, and empower all of us.
Thank you so much. You are courageous. This helps me as I contemplate going to mass this morning. Thank you again.
Thank you for this. There is a time to speak up and a time to be meek. I think you balanced reverence for the mass with reverence for the church. If I was in the pews, I would have been so grateful, and I am grateful now.
God bless you and thank you for your witness and courage. Some would have walked out but you knew that you would have missed what it was really all about—the Eucharist. You have made my day!
Well done, Yunuen Trujillo!
You are a prophet and a shepherd!
Blessings and best wishes from Ireland!
What great courage this took. I recently moved and have tried 3 churches in the area. It’s hard to find a new spiritual home as an LBGTQ Catholic because totally accepting parish leadership is as much a minority as we are.
Yuneun,,
I am so proud of you for your courage. I think most of us associated with LGBTQ ministry have had at least one of these types of experiences. First let me say I’m sorry that happened to you. Second, Jesus loves you and is proud of you!! Third, you go girl!!!! You have inspired me.
I sat through one of these sermons four years ago. Three people had the courage to walk out. I did not. I have made up my mind to never be silent again when my child & myself too are being abused.
Mental abuse is as detrimental to the church as physical abuse. I wish we had reporting systems for that. Sadly we both know most bishops would not listen.
Thank you for your beautiful reflection.
Hugs. Blessings!!
Geri
Yunuen, thank you for sharing your story. God’s grace was with you when you drew upon your inner courage to speak of your authentic self in front of the congregation after mass. You are appreciated and not alone.
https://www.sjesandiego.org/lgbtq
Way to go! Love your speaking out!
Good for you. The Holy Spirit was indeed speaking through you. I can’t believe the Deacon was allowed to be so hateful. As many times as you can, repeat your call for others to hear. Perhaps bring others from your old parish to join you,
Many blessings.
Thank you Yunuen, for your very courageous walking with Jesus in truly authentic discipleship. Your witness to the values that Jesus taught is awesome and will hopefully stimulate others to emulate your brave engagement with the challenges of the kingdom.
Thank you, Yunuen.
This reminds me of the verse in Acts quoting the prophecy of Joel: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young will see visions. Your elders will dream dreams.”
It was as though – in a simple blessing – the Spirit unloosened your tongue to speak clarity, comfort, liberty and truth to people who had been troubled by a sermon of deceptive and hateful words by a man who did not understand.
Yunuen,
RIGHT ON! and THANK YOU! Jesus is the Good Shepherd when others fail and fleece the flock. Your voice reminded be of John, the Baptist, reaching in the wilderness. Your prophetic voice perhaps helped a single person, and that is enough. One at a time.
Peace be with you. I hope you find a home that does not use a hammer for a key.
Thank you for listening to the Spirit and accepting the call to Shepherd.
Thank you for your prophet’s voice and action in that church.
Thank you for speaking up bravely Yunuen. You spoke for the thousands of us who remain silent in the face of such prejudice and misguided Christianity.
I’m curious how things went after such a courageous act of witness. Could we have a follow-up? For instance, how was Ms. Trujillo treated when she presented herself to receive the Eucharist at the next service?..
Thank you so much for your boldness in the face of harassment.
To take a stand is not easy and you did it so bravo!
The next time it will be easier I assure you and one day you will look back and realize how many lives you positively impacted!
Thank you for speaking up and sharing what was in your heart. You put the hypocrites in their place….
Reminds me of a story:
Catholic runs into his pastor in town and can’t avoid him and says: “Father, you know why I don’t come to church anymore?” Why?> ” It’s full of hypocrites.”
Reply: “You’re right! But there’s always room for one more.”
A Jewish man, same experience: “Rabbi, give me one good reason why I should come to shul on Shabbat!”
Reply: “We MISS YOU!”