The Encounter

By Bishop Paul S. Loverde
Special to the HERALD
(From the Issue of Feb. 6, 2003)

The following homily was given by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde on Feb. 2 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

What helps us to understand more clearly and more fully the meaning of today’s Feat of the Presentation of the Lord? I propose two things: the image of a lit candle and the ancient name given to today’s feast: "The Encounter" or "The Meeting."

The image of a lit candle points to Christ, Who refers to Himself as the "Light of the world" (cf. Jn 9:5). For those of us present in this cathedral, the image of a lit candle is very dominant, as we watched those in procession carry a lit candle, symbolizing Christ the Light. The ancient name of this feast: "Encounter" or "Meeting" refers to the actual event recorded in St. Luke’s Gospel and proclaimed in our hearing moments ago. Christ Jesus was presented to God His Father in the temple by Mary and Joseph and meets both Simeon and Anna. So, the mystery which we are celebrating is that of Christ the Light meeting His people.

How does Christ the Light meet His people? How does He meet us? In two ways: directly and indirectly.

Christ the Light meets us directly through prayer and the sacraments. Whatever the form which our prayer takes — individual or communal, private or liturgical, silent or spoken or sung — it is Christ Who meets us, bringing us the light of His truth and the warmth of His love. Do we understand and, even more, experience prayer in this way — as an encounter or meeting with the Lord Jesus?

Christ the Light also meets us directly in the celebration of each sacrament. As a result of this meeting through an outward sign, we receive His life within us and experience His light and His love. Is this not what we learned years ago? "A sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace." Or, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "An efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church by which divine life is dispensed to us through the work of the Holy Spirit" (no. 1131).

Christ the Light also meets us indirectly — through other people. In the first reading we heard: "Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me…" Who prepares for the coming of the Lord? Is this not the vocation of every baptized person? Those who by Baptism belong to Christ and are filled with His light and life are living messengers, preparing others to receive Christ the Light. Yes, this is the vocation of every baptized person. We fulfill this basic and universal calling by living out as best we can the specific vocation God has given to each of us. Some of us are called to the married life; others to the single life; some others to the priesthood and still others to the consecrated life as members of religious institutes or secular institutes. Whatever the particular vocation, God uses us as messengers, preparing others to meet Christ the Light, Who is their salvation as well as He is ours. All of us, then, must be like a lit candle: radiating Christ the Light, we are being consumed in witness for Him and in service to others.

On this Feast of the Presentation, of Christ the Light meeting His people, we are also observing throughout the universal Church and therefore in this diocese as well World Day for Consecrated Life. This World Day for Consecrated Life was begun by Pope John Paul II as a way to increase awareness of the consecrated life at a time when vocations were declining and, in many places, religious congregations, which had served for generations, were dying out and not being replaced. Recognizing the invaluable contribution to the life of the Church made by these consecrated men and women, Pope John Paul II instituted this day to offer thanks to God for the gift of consecrated life, to promote knowledge of this life and to invite consecrated people to celebrate what the Lord has accomplished in them and deepen their awareness of their mission. I would like to reflect briefly with you on this beautiful vocation to consecrated or religious life.

There is a rich diversity within the consecrated or religious life. Contemplative communities devote themselves to prayer and penance and are often referred to as "the heart of the Church." In our diocese, we are so blessed by two such contemplative communities: the Poor Clares in Alexandria and the Trappist monks in Berryville. Other communities spread the Gospel and proclaim Christ the Light in active ministry. Their apostolic work embraces pastoral care, education, catechetics and healthcare. Again, we are truly blessed in this diocese by a number of these active communities, both male and female. Present among us this morning and renewing their vows at the end of this homily are members of the Brothers of St. Francis Xavier, Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Daughters of St. Paul. Moreover, within the diocese are consecrated persons who belong to secular institutes. As we honor all those who live the consecrated life, we give thanks to God for the various ways in which they enrich our diocesan church and we pray that they will continue to burn with the Light of Christ, inviting each one they meet to encounter Christ, the source of their life and salvation.

On this day when our focus is on the consecrated life, we also recommit ourselves to the pastoral work of vocations by praying for an increase in vocations, especially to the consecrated life, within this diocese and by personally inviting individuals to be open to Christ’s call to follow Him in living the consecrated life. We know how blessed we have been with religious sisters and brothers in our midst. We must invite others to continue this life. So, we must say to an individual we think is suitable: "You would make an excellent sister or brother or priest. Have you though of following that call?" Remember, vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life can only come from real families — ours in this diocese.

The image of a lit candle becomes the reality! Each one of us, whether we live married life, single life, priestly life or consecrated life, must be a light, united with Christ and burning with the Light of His truth and love. In that way, everyone we meet will encounter, not us, but Christ, Who is their Lord and Savior. Amen.

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