Catechesis: Source of Life, Unity
(The following homily was given by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde on Nov. 16 for the Annual Diocesan Catechetical Conference Mass at the Sheraton Hotel in McLean.)
As the Holy Father wrote in Catechesi Tradendae, 5, “"at the heart of catechesis we find, in essence, a Person, the Person of Jesus of Nazareth, 'the only Son from the Father' " who suffered and died for us and who now, after rising, is living with us forever.”
We gather this morning as part of the annual catechetical conference for the Diocese of Arlington, and, this year, our theme is “Living for the Lord!” As catechists, your mission is not simply to impart knowledge to those to whom you minister, but also to introduce them to the God-man Jesus Christ. To quote again our Holy Father, “"the definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ: only He can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of the Holy Trinity” (Ibid.).
In his Apostolic Letter on the New Millennium, Pope John Paul II invites the Church to heed the words of Jesus to St. Peter when he said: “Duc in altum!” Set out into the deep for a catch. Our Holy Father sees the beginning of this third Christian millennium as a new beginning for the human race. In this Apostolic Letter, our Holy Father calls the Church to reassess our focus, our goals and our mission to ensure that we are faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ and to the mission He has entrusted to each of us. He encourages us to come up with a new plan for evangelizing our world so much in need of it. But, he knows, as all good disciples know, that all of our work must be grounded in the right soil, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He writes: “First of all, I have no hesitation in saying that all pastoral initiatives must be set in relation to holiness” (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 30). He goes on: “"this ideal of perfection must not be misunderstood as if it involved some kind of extraordinary existence, possible only for a few 'uncommon heroes' of holiness. The ways of holiness are many, according to the vocation of each individual " The time has come to repropose wholeheartedly to everyone this high standard of ordinary Christian living” (NMI, 31). Our challenge as followers of Jesus is to become holy, to be permeated by Him in His Word and through His Sacraments. In our Gospel reading this morning, Jesus teaches us that: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.”
Each of us is called to become holy, and at the same time, to invite others to come to Jesus. As disciples of Jesus Christ, and especially as catechists, you are called to proclaim Jesus Christ. This is accomplished in a myriad of ways, but especially through the example and witness of your daily lives, through your efforts at evangelization and through your apostolate of catechesis. Your catechetical apostolate not only forms individuals, but also unites the Body of Christ because we are of one mind, one faith, and one baptism, united under one Head — Jesus Christ.
Our Gospel reminds us of a great support given to us by Jesus Christ in our Christian lives — the third person of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit. “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” As catechists, you must cultivate an intimate relationship with each person of the Holy Trinity. Many times we forget the Holy Spirit, but Jesus reminds us today that it is the Holy Spirit Who is tasked with leading the People of God until the day that Jesus comes again. It is the role of the Holy Spirit to lead us to Jesus, to help us live in deep intimate union with Him and to become holy. He is indispensable in your lives as Christians, and in your apostolic work as a catechist. He is leading the men and women of our day to discover Jesus Christ, and once having done so, He brings them to you so that you can give them the fullness of the revelation of Jesus Christ. What a privilege you have been given!
As the Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, I would like to thank you for your hard work and faith-filled dedication in your work as catechists. I am sure there are times when you would rather do something else, or perhaps a family member or friend needs your attention, or you get discouraged and doubt whether or not you are accomplishing anything. Your work is very valuable. Your personal time, which you give so freely to God through serving His Church, is a precious gift both to Him and to this diocese, and I echo my gratitude. I urge you to re-commit yourselves to this great undertaking, and to be re-energized through this Eucharistic Sacrifice. In this world, which is so often dark, tossed by violence and scandal and death, you are lights which remind others that God exists and that He loves them. This witness is of inestimable worth, and will surely be rewarded in Heaven.
St. Paul wrote in our first reading: “If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing.” As the bishop of this diocese, I join St. Paul in encouraging you to be of the same mind, be filled with love for Jesus Christ and for His Church, be united in heart with your families, friends and neighbors, thinking one thing: the Gospel and growing in holiness. Through catechesis, you build unity in the world by uniting the hearts of the people you catechize. In giving those entrusted to you the revelation of God found in Jesus Christ, the sole Savior of the world, you are giving them life, you are creating unity in the world and you are enabling others to do the same! Indeed, you are “Living in the Lord.”
This is my ongoing prayer for you. May God who has begun this good work in each of you bring it to fruition in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
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