May 15, 2009
The Christian Journey
Christ is risen! Indeed Christ is risen! Alleluia!
BY FATHER JIM SAUER
Throughout the Easter Season, we have feasted on the Acts of the Apostles and the Eucharist. How inspiring to hear that the Risen Lord fulfilled his promise, pouring forth the Spirit upon the Church to continue his ministry. The ministry of reconciliation with God and among the human family is a timeless concern as our modern media points out each day!
How inspiring it has been to hear God’s Word spreading throughout the ancient world, by 12 men, who were initially so afraid that they locked themselves up in the upper room. Then on Pentecost, when the Spirit came, they became so courageous that no one or nothing could stop them from preaching the Good News. They went forth from Jerusalem, the mother Church, to Samaria, Judea, Caesarea, Galilee, Damascus, Phoenicia, Cyprus, Antioch, Asia Minor, Macedonia, and finally to Rome (thought to be “the ends of the earth” in those days). We too are missionaries for Christ; the Preface for Apostles II proclaims — “we are the living Gospel for all people to hear.” How awesome! How wonderful! How frightening!
What wonderful news to hear how the Holy Spirit formed the Christian Community to be of one mind and one heart centering itself on the “breaking of bread” (the Eucharist — as we call it today). The Church appears to be in the springtime of her growth as new members believed and joined the Christian community. This reminds us of the thousands of women, men and children who joined the Church this Easter throughout the world — for the risen Christ still works through his Spirit to form new disciples.
The Holy Spirit led Paul and Peter, fearless preachers, along new paths to take the Good News to the Gentiles (a path they had originally not intended to undertake). Barnabas, whose name in English means “Son of Encouragement,” did just that — he was sent on missions where the Christians needed special support to follow Jesus. Barnabas also was responsible for presenting Paul to the Apostles who were still afraid and uncertain of his conversion. The women and men who ministered in the early Church are as fascinating and gifted as we who make up the Church today!
The Acts of the Apostles presents an ideal picture of the early Church to challenge us in becoming who Christ desires us to be — God’s daughters and sons. As our Easter Season comes to a joyous conclusion this Pentecost on May 31, do our new members still feel a joyful welcome in our parishes? How have our parishes built closer ties with them? Are our parishes planning a special celebration near Pentecost?
Are we planning to gather monthly with our new members until next Easter? Or, are they completely on their own now? How will we integrate them into our current faith sharing groups such as “Why Catholic?” or bible study? If they had a parish sponsor during the catechumenate, will we involve them in our Summer Social (another great way to meet more people) and other activities? Before signing them up for every parish ministry, let’s give them an opportunity to get settled and to become acquainted with more people. Above all, let’s help our parishes to get to know them and love them. They are God’s newest gift to the Church!