In response to the great commissioning, “Go and report what you see and hear” (Matt.11:4), faithful to this task, the Church goes forth to proclaim to every creature the message of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Church, then, carries this message of comfort to all the sick, the lonely, the prisoners, the homeless, those tortured by addictions, by war and endless conflicts, the sorrowing, the discouraged and despairing, the poor and the needy, to those who have lost the gift of faith, the Church speaks tenderly to them about the message of peace she has received from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Church, bearer of glad tidings, raises her voice, she says to all the cities of the world especially in this season of Advent, “Here is your God! He comes with power…like a Shepherd He feeds His flock” (Isaiah 40:9-11), “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths” (Mk. 1:1ff). And when the Church, this cherished bride of Christ, is asked whether there should be a waiting for another Christ, another savior, the church, with one mind and one voice declares that right here right now, in this present day and age, “the blind recover their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf recover their hearing, the poor have the good news preached to them” (Matt. 11:4-6). Thus, salvation is happening here and now. For, even today, the Savior says, “come to me all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest, take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy and my burden light” (Matt. 11:28-30).
Being commissioned thus by her Divine Spouse, and strengthened by His Divine love and the nourishment that comes from the Eucharist, the Church, conscious of her lofty dignity as spouse and mother, she faithfully and lovingly carries this message of hope and salvation to the ends of the earth, bearing testimony, by her life and actions, to all she meets. She declares, “what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life, we declare to you…so that you also may have fellowship with us…fellowship with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1John 1:1-3). In and through the Church, a real physical intimate encounter with the living person of Christ, happens.
Centuries after centuries, through the great trials and the persecutions that have tested her endurance and patience and love, the Church has always emerged victorious. Faithful to that promise of everlasting life, she never ceases to be the sanctuary of life and a place of spiritual and physical healing and reconciliation. Day and night, in the deep recesses of the silence and the solitude of the convents and monasteries, sweet melodies of the Psalms and Canticles rise to the tops of the mountains, church bells resound through cities and neighborhoods, like a voice of an angel, summoning the faithful to the house of prayer. And with one mind and voice, Church sings the beautiful hymn of the Cherubim, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the highest.
Even when she is tested and tempted to the point of despair, when a great many people do not believe in the real presence of our Lord in the Eucharist, the Church proclaims even more, courageously and with greater conviction, “Lord to whom can we go? You have the words of everlasting life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (Jn 6:68-69).
Lord, we pray, make us turn to you, let us see your face and we shall be saved. Let your light, Oh Lord, shine, let the light of faith shine through this cherished bride, the Church. Let your glory shine through your beloved spouse, and grant to her the courage and the strength to bear you witness, and to proclaim your love until the end of time.
Amen.
Comentários