Michael Pender (NZ Catholic, October 16) first heard about
personal relationship with Jesus from non-Catholics, and only recently from
Catholic sources. That’s probably typical and explains why Protestants are so
often fired up, and Catholics so limp-wristed.
Pender says we should pray earnestly for this gift. But why, when Requiem
after Requiem “celebrates the life” of the deceased, who’s presumed to be
in heaven?
Because “we shall be separated from (God) if we fail to meet the
serious needs of the poor” (Catechism of the Catholic Church).
We need teaching, because for priests especially, “serious needs” include
the spiritual needs of lay people denied the treasures of Catholic
doctrine.
We need example. We need to know the saints. But I’ve heard it said, in a
Sunday homily, that saints are “”neurotic” - which explains both why we don’t know
our saints, and why we don’t want to know them: because our pastors don’t.
Saints, in heaven and on earth, are other Christs who inspire us to become
Christ-like. Saints become saints primarily by keeping Christ company, in
contemplative prayer and in the Mass.
“Implore his grace daily”, says Pope
Francis; at the risk of being called non-inclusive I add, “in the
Eucharist”.
Don’t say you’re too busy. Jesus can re-arrange your life; he who created
time will give you all you need.
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