FACILITATING AN ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST / ALEX BAILEY

FACILITATING AN ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST

ALEX BAILEY

‘Evolutionary Leap’

hether it was in Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, W House, Scrubs, St Elsewhere, Doogie Howser, or some other riveting medical series, CPR is something you have definitely seen dramatised. Perhaps you have completed a St John first aid course and practised CPR on a training manikin? No doubt some readers will have also encountered a real person in need and performed CPR. I can only begin to imagine the grief or relief that might accompany this experience. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is something we are generally familiar with but never wish to perform. On the opposite side of things, perhaps you know a relative or friend with a DNR (do not resuscitate) order in place? Whichever way we look at it, a real encounter with someone who requires resuscitation is a serious and grave thing. Praise God for the skilled medical staff and technology that increases the likelihood of success if attempted.

“Now it must be acknowledged that if in Jesus’ Resurrection we were dealing simply with the miracle of a resuscitated corpse, it would ultimately be of no concern to us,” says Pope Benedict XVI in Jesus of Nazareth, Book II. For even today, it seems more than likely that, right this minute, somewhere in the world someone is being resuscitated. But Jesus’ resurrection is different. Jesus’ resurrection changed the course of the world. For his resurrection, as Benedict continues, “is not an isolated event that we could set aside as something limited to the past, but it constitutes an ‘evolutionary leap’ (to draw an analogy, albeit one that is easily misunderstood).” At this point, perhaps the

reader might accuse this article of becoming out of touch with “real life,” of using unrelatable language, or of aiming too high. In this light, a question arises: what does this “evolutionary leap” really look like? “But their eyes were kept from recognising him” (Lk 24:16, RSV). Consider the two disciples on the road to Emmaus who knew what Jesus really looked like but who could not see Jesus’ resurrected body. Consider Thomas who did not see until Jesus said “put your finger here, and see my hands” (Jn 20:27, RSV). The answer to the previous question cannot be contained in a straightforward written description or even in a piece of artwork or icon. Nevertheless, it can be answered.

Ceaselessly, Mass is celebrated every day throughout the world. Weekly we participate in Mass, some of us more frequently. Those familiar bells chime and we lift our gaze to adore and look upon the white host, the real presence. Do we really see the body and blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ? “Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (Jn 20:28). The liturgy of the Eucharist is an encounter with the risen Christ. I am told that at the time of consecration in some Argentinian churches the congregation spontaneously exclaims aloud “My Lord and my God.”. While this isn’t common practice in our diocese, it is perhaps worth imitating, albeit silently.

The 2022/2023 theme of the five-year Strategic Pastoral Plan is: Facilitating an Encounter with Christ. From Pentecost 2022 through until Pentecost 2023 this theme will be unpacked. Here’s a couple of suggestions of activities the people of the diocese could begin with.

Watch - Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist on Formed Read - The Lamb’s Supper or The Fourth Cup - Scott Hahn Attend - a silent retreat at Ngakuru Monastery or the Cluny Retreat Centre - details available at cdh.org.nz/events Attend - Te Ara Maria event in your parish or neighbouring parish. Visit tearaamaria.nz/events.

If you don’t have access to Formed or you can’t find the book in your parish library simply email alexb@cdhorg. nz and I’ll arrange one for you. Why not get a few friends together and make a book club or watch party? In the same way, if you are having trouble booking a retreat send an email and I’ll do my best to assist.