In his Apostolic Exhortation, “The Joy of the Gospel,” Pope Francis uses this word “Encounter” as part of an invitation. He writes, “I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them. I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not for him or her, since ‘no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord.’” (No. 3)
Well, I want to begin my reflection by first thanking you for being here. Whether you come from Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Trumbull or Stark County, I thank you for heeding the invitation of our Holy Father by embracing this moment of encounter with Jesus along with some new friends. In this moment of encounter the Holy Father offers reassurance along with the promise of something new. He adds, “The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step toward Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms…With a tenderness that never disappoints, but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew.” (No. 3)
An encounter with Jesus always promises something new. For some of you, that newness may be found in the fact that this is your first visit to the mother Church of the diocese, Saint Columba Cathedral. Like all our religious buildings, this is meant to be a place of growth and insight.
But growth is not something exclusive to a church building. Growth is integral to the Christian life. I mention this fact every year during the celebrations of the Sacrament of Confirmation. What I say is: “No one can live a successful adult life on an eighth-grade faith.” The point is that one must continue to grow in the faith and one’s relationship with Jesus Christ.
The opening prayer for today’s liturgy points to this reality. Moments ago, I prayed that as we begin this observance of Lent, in these words, “that we may grow in understanding in the riches hidden in Christ and by worthy conduct pursue their effects.”
The first reading from the Book of Deuteronomy recalls the story of the Israelites under the leadership of Moses as they journeyed in faith. There were many growing pains, if you will, but God delivered them. Today’s selection is a kind of confession of faith by God’s chosen people.
The Gospel takes us to the desert where following his baptism in the Jordan Jesus remains in solitude for 40 days only to be tempted by the devil three different times. In each instance, Jesus relies upon the Word of God to overcome the temptation to deviate from God’s plan. If you recall, the opening prayer for Ash Wednesday characterized this Lenten time which mirrors Jesus’ time in the desert as a time of spiritual combat. The prayer contained this petition, “…as we take up battle against spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint.” Jesus demonstrated so clearly that discipline of self-restraint.
Even after the conclusion of the Lenten season, the battle continues as the devil is always seeking to allure us away from God and his path for us. Next to dividing us from one another, what the devil delights in most is when we become discouraged and lose heart. This can happen so subtly but when it happens, we essentially forget God and all that he can do for us even in difficult times. That is why it is so important that we not only have a relationship with Jesus but also that we continue to grow in that relationship. Pope Francis says it best in “The Joy of the Gospel,” when he says, “Let us not flee from the resurrection of Jesus, let us never give up, come what will. May nothing inspire us more than his life, which impels us onward!” (No. 3)
An intentional relationship with Jesus enables us to not lose heart but especially in these days of Lent to undergo a change of heart through a personal conversion and aspire to be the person he desires us to be. What makes this relationship so imperative and timely is to use the words of Pope Francis’ recently released Encyclical Letter, “He Loved Us.” Indeed, Jesus loved and continues to love us and give us what we need so that we can love him and love one another as he has loved us.
The greatest source of Christ’s love for us is his Sacred Heart. If we pause and behold any image of the Sacred Heart, and there is one in every Church, there is always an opportunity for a life-changing encounter with rewards. Pope Francis acknowledges this when he says, “That same Jesus is now waiting for you to bring him the chance to bring light to your life, to raise you up, and to fill you with strength.” (No. 38-Dilexit Nos) If we doubt the power of this heart we need only to gaze at the cross. Pope Francis says, “The cross is Jesus’ most eloquent word of love.” (No. 46-Dilexit Nos). The image of the Sacred Heart is an invitation for deeper encounter and growth with Jesus. The Holy Father says, “The venerable image portraying Christ holding out his loving heart also shows him looking directly at us, inviting us to encounter, dialogue and trust; it shows his strong hands capable of supporting us and his lips that speak personally to each of us.” (No. 54-Dilexit Nos) I encourage you to keep this image nearby to further behold and extend this sacred encounter.
My dear catechumens, we live in a world of deep and frequent images and imaging. Every day images overwhelm us on the screens of phones, computers and televisions. Technology is an amazing feat. But nothing can transcend the amazing power of Christ’s love for us imaged in the Sacred Heart and made ever so real and present in the Holy Eucharist. What makes this encounter so powerful is that it goes beyond the eyes to the depths of one’s heart. Heart speaks to heart. What is more, in this encounter Jesus promises a presence and strength to help us live in this world of temptations so that we can stand tall and not lose heart. But it does not end there, because we are always called to become what we receive. In other words, we are called to go forth to the peripheries and be that presence and strength to others so that they will grow according to God’s plan and not lose heart. The Eucharist is that staple we need not just to live in this world with its many struggles and temptations but to prepare for the next world of eternal life, for Jesus says, “If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever.” (John 6:51)
My dear catechumens, we long for the day when we can gather around God’s altar as brothers and sisters to receive his presence, his love, and his strength in the Holy Eucharist. Until that time, please know of this Church’s love and support for you in this holy time as you seek to become one with Christ and his Church.
