Apr

14

“Christ Our Hope”

April 14, 2008 |

Our Moment 

This week is a generation defining moment - when the Holy Father comes to America.  Papal visits occur less frequently than a Republican getting elected in Massachusetts.  So, let us embrace this moment - let it rejuvenate us, bring us to a greater faith, and give us that hope that can only be found in Christ, our Lord.

It shouldn’t be a great surprise that the Holy Father’s message for the week is “Christ Our Hope.”  And it is a most appropriate one. 

There are two incredible points that the Pope made in his “Advance Message’ issued last week.  The first is:

“I shall come . . .  to proclaim this great truth: Jesus Christ is hope for men and women of every language, race, culture, and social condition. Yes, Christ is the face of God present among us. Through him, our lives reach fullness, and together, both as individuals and peoples, we can become a family united by fraternal love, according to the eternal plan of God the Father.”

The other is:

“I know how deeply rooted this Gospel message is in your country. I am coming to share it with you . . ..  I shall also bring the message of Christian hope . . ..  Indeed, the world has greater need of hope than ever: hope for peace, for justice, and for freedom; but this hope can never be fulfilled without obedience to the law of God, which Christ brought to fulfillment in the commandment to love one another. Do to others as you would have them do to you, and avoid doing what you would not want them to do. This “golden rule” is given in the Bible, but it is valid for all people, including non-believers. It is the law written on the human heart . . ..”

And this message is just the preview of coming attractions.  We are going to hear a great deal about hope this week.  It’s a message everyone of us in this nation needs to hear - and believe.  But, we Catholics all need to remember that this hope cannot truly exist unless it is centered on Christ, his Church and the law of God - a hope that is based in faith and reason.

What He Will Find 

This week is going to be jaw-dropping - if we truly permit the Holy Spirit to reach us through this worthy apostolic successor of St. Peter.   It is going to be faith-defining and life-enhancing - if we truly allow his message to sink into our souls and lead us to a strengthening of our Church.

The Holy Father is going to find a Church here that is vibrant and transforming.  He is going to find a people faithful to the Eucharist and being personally transformed by the message of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.  He will find a people reawakening to the mysteries of the faith.  He will find a Church on the move.

But, he will also find a Church where too many of its people have turned away from these mysteries.  Many of whom are hurting, lost, finding themselves on the wrong path - all without a clear compass heading on where to go. 

And, hopefully, they will be listening as well to the Holy Father.  And maybe, just maybe, they will find the hope that has alluded them and find their way back to the healing power and light of Christ and his Church.


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