For an affluent society, a further obstacle to an encounter with the living God lies in the subtle influence of materialism, which can all too easily focus the attention on the hundredfold, which God promises now in this time, at the expense of the eternal life which he promises in the age to come (cf. Mk 10:30). People today need to be reminded of the ultimate purpose of their lives. They need to recognize that implanted within them is a deep thirst for God. They need to be given opportunities to drink from the wells of his infinite love. It is easy to be entranced by the almost unlimited possibilities that science and technology place before us; it is easy to make the mistake of thinking we can obtain by our own efforts the fulfillment of our deepest needs. This is an illusion. Without God, who alone bestows upon us what we by ourselves cannot attain (cf. Spe Salvi, 31), our lives are ultimately empty. People need to be constantly reminded to cultivate a relationship with him who came that we might have life in abundance (cf. Jn 10:10). The goal of all our pastoral and catechetical work, the object of our preaching, and the focus of our sacramental ministry should be to help people establish and nurture that living relationship with “Christ Jesus, our hope” (1 Tim 1:1).
In a society which values personal freedom and autonomy, it is easy to lose sight of our dependence on others as well as the responsibilities that we bear towards them. This emphasis on individualism has even affected the Church (cf. Spe Salvi, 13-15), giving rise to a form of piety which sometimes emphasizes our private relationship with God at the expense of our calling to be members of a redeemed community. Yet from the beginning, God saw that “it is not good for man to be alone” (Gen 2:18). We were created as social beings who find fulfillment only in love – for God and for our neighbor. If we are truly to gaze upon him who is the source of our joy, we need to do so as members of the people of God (cf. Spe Salvi, 14). If this seems counter-cultural, that is simply further evidence of the urgent need for a renewed evangelization of culture.
In all of TEC’s “conversation” on the MDGs, do you ever hear spoken “a deep thirst for God” or “renewed evangelization of culture” or “help people establish and nurture that living relationship with ‘Christ Jesus’ our hope”?
While the MDGs can be a worthy cause, they cannot replace the need for the Gospel. Sadly, I believe that is what TEC has done. How refreshing to hear the chief pastor of a Chrisitian church actually talk about Christ, God, and the Gospel.
I thought he hit the nail on the head with a dexterity and clarity that avoids offending. I felt humbled as I read and shamed by my own inadequate efforts to live by my beliefs and not my values.
He really makes the ABC, PB and whole HOB look like Lilliputians in comparison. THIS is a man of God and worthy successor to St. Peter.
Happy now, Mathman?
Benedict (#16) knocked the ball outta the park with one swing of the bat!
Hmm, this is disturbing. I can understand what this man is saying on the first reading. He plainly hasn’t got what it takes to be an ABC.