Scripture:
Reflection:
Encountering Christ
I have often thought about some of the most impressive people I have encountered. It had to be Cardinal Ratzinger. Years ago he came to our monastery in Germany where I had a private concelebrated Mass with him and his sister. He was a great theologian and held a very high position in the Vatican. After our Mass, we had breakfast with him and his sister, with just me and another German Passionist. He asked me about my ministry and conditions in the United States. His English was very good and easy to understand. He was very kind, and it was a memorable experience. But I had no idea he would soon become our next Pope. If I knew I would have brought my camera and made extensive notes of our conversation.
In the Gospels, we find a long list of encounters with Christ. I counted 32 examples of people meeting and experiencing a personal encounter with Jesus. I am sure there are many more. In today’s Gospel in Mark, we find a distressed father of a possessed son meeting Christ and pleading for help. MK 9:22
Is this situation similar to when we meet Jesus? We believe He is close, but like the distraught father, we say: “But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” Jesus answers: “If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” What a great answer the father gives! “Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” The word “help” in the Greek-inspired NT is bo ae (cry out) and theo (run) . Run to my crying out! It is one of the beautiful words for prayer in NT
I did not realize what a wonderful presence the future Pope Benedict was to me. How very much more do we fail to recognize the constant and amazing presence of Christ with us twenty-four-seven! “Help” is a great prayer. What an opportunity when we encounter Jesus! “Until we’re convinced that prayer is the best way to spend our time, we will not find the time to pray”. Pope Benedict X111
I love the beautiful words of Pope Francis. “Every encounter with Jesus changes our lives, always! It is a step forward, a step closer to God. Thus, every encounter with Christ changes our lives. It is always. Always this way!”
Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.