Saint Victor RichfieldEaster Vigil (B) With Catechumens – April 4, 2015
The joys
and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men (sic) of this age, especially those who are poor
or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties
of the followers of Christ. United in
Christ, they are led by the Holy Spirit in their journey to the Kingdom of
their Father and they have welcomed the news of salvation which is meant for
every man (sic).
Thus begins the Pastoral
Constitution on the Church in Modern World, Gaudiem
et Spes, of which we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of promulgation in
this the 2,015th year of the Common Era which is most notably for us
this evening the very first year that we as the people Saint Victor Parish
welcome Maggie Bennekamper and Brandon Erden as our sister and brother Follower
of Christ.
Brandon and
Maggie, from this evening forward, as your sisters and brothers in faith, your
joys are our joys, your hopes our hopes, and we will be with you as well to
help you bear whatever griefs and anxieties confront you in the years ahead. You in turn, by the “I do!” that you will
respond to each statement of the Baptismal Promises, pledge that the joys,
hopes, griefs and anxieties of those in this parish, the local church of
Cleveland, the church throughout the world and indeed all those of this age are
yours as well.
We begin with
this beautiful quotation from the Second Vatican Council because it expresses
very concisely that the church is indeed a community and is comprised of all of
the singularly wonderful, challenging, mysterious, and ever expanding complex
of relationships that form it. You are
not achieving “member status” in an institution, organization, or exclusive
club. You are entering into a
relationship. A relationship with God
and with God’s People.
This is why the
word “Encounter” is so perfect an expression for the sacraments of the church,
particularly for you this evening the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and
Eucharist. Edward Schillebeeckx, a
Dominican Priest and one of the greatest Catholic thinkers of the 20th
Century promoted this idea in his book “Christ the Sacrament of the Encounter
with God.” It is perhaps one of the most
important Catholic works of the past 100 years.
In its
conclusion he writes,
It is by
the sacraments that we journey toward our final goal – the sacramental way is
our hidden road to Emmaus, on which we are accompanied by our Lord. And even though we are not yet able to see
him, we are conscious of his concealed presence near us, for when he addresses
us through his sacraments, our hearts, intent upon his word, burn with longing
and we turn at once to Christian action – in the words of the gospel writer, “Were
not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened
the Scriptures to us?”
Maggie and
Brandon, it is just this kind of encounter with Jesus Christ, as companion and
friend as you journey though life, that you are about to experience, knowing
that he is a friend and companion with whom you will always be able to share
your joys, hopes, anxieties and griefs.
Through the
waters of Baptism Christ will save you in the same way that God saved the
Israelites. As they were brought safely
through the waters of the Red Sea by your rising to new life with Christ
through the life-giving waters he saves you forever from the effects of sin,
sickness and death.
Sealed by the
Spirit you will receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom, understanding, the spirit of right
judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of
wonder and awe in God’s presence.
In the
Eucharist you will receive bread that breaths and wine that bleeds. Jesus becomes bread and wine for you and for
us so that all of us together can become Jesus for the world. For all the people of the present age.
Brandon and
Maggie, I know that Mrs. Peltz has been spending many hours preparing you for
this evening. Your sponsors and families
have supported you as well. Your parish
community has been praying for you. I
can tell that all of these people love and care for you very much and they have
done a very good job making you ready.
How can I tell? Because I have
seen the joy in your faces. I have seen
your enthusiasm. I have seen and heard
that you know very well what you are about, what you are doing, and what you
are committing yourself to.
Thinking about
your joy on this evening prompted me to think about the recent words of Pope
Francis in his letter “The Joy of the Gospel.”
He gives us all some very good ideas about how best to live as followers
of Christ. Here are just a three of
them:
· No one is
saved by himself or herself, individually, or by his or her own efforts. God
attracts us by taking into account the complex interweaving of personal
relationships entailed in the life of a human community. This people which God
has chosen and called is the Church.
· When
conflict arises, some people simply look at it and go their way as if nothing
happened; others embrace it in such a way that they become its prisoners; but
there is also a third way. It is the willingness to face conflict head on, to
resolve it and to make it a link in the chain of a new process. “Blessed are
the peacemakers!”
· Today, as
the Church seeks to experience a profound missionary renewal, there is a kind
of preaching which falls to each of us as a daily responsibility. Being a
disciple means being constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus to others, and
this can happen unexpectedly and in any place: on the street, in a city square,
during work, on a journey.
Maggie and Brandon, we are all
happy and proud to see your joy this evening.
Our prayer for you is not only that this joy will remain strong in your
every day, but that you in turn as members of Christ, as being sealed by Christ
with his Spirit, and by your becoming Christ in the Eucharist for others your
joy will be infectious and that because of you everyone you meet will know the
Joy of the Gospel.
