Only God can bridge the gap between himself and
us, and he does this through the gift of the Holy Spirit, who leads us to
Christ. As Pope Francis points out, getting to know Christ better involves
learning to think as Christ does- to join him in seeking what he seeks and
loving what he loves.
Just as the branches “remain” in the vine, and
the vine in the branches, so our heart is rooted in the mystery of God. We have a life which wells up in us
from a source too deep for us to plumb. We have a heart that is not just
created by God and then abandoned to us for us to make the most of; we have a heart
which is constantly being created and sustained by the newness of the life of
God, just like fruitful branches on a vine.
The Good News is that Christ-in-us draws us into
himself. In the Holy Spirit, we share in Christ’s personal existence, which is
the Life of our life. The vital exchange between God and us established on that
first Pentecost continues throughout time. This does not mean that we merely
think of Christ or lovingly cherish his image; what exists in us is the living
reality of Jesus. As St. Paul confesses, “Our life is now hidden with Christ in
God.” Each personal encounter with Christ means allowing him to live and work
in us. Even more he invites us to love as he loves. There is no deeper love
than to go to the point of giving oneself for God and for others, holding
nothing back of ourselves for ourselves. Whoever lives a life rooted in God chooses
to love in this way. A heart resolved to love will radiate goodness
without limits.
The only sure way to renew a real friendship
with Christ, is to “remain” in him. He alone, the “true Vine,” will keep us
from becoming all “straggly and tangled, turned in on ourselves and getting in
our own light.” Without him we can do nothing. With him we need not fear the
future, for in the Risen Christ all things are “gathered up, things in heaven
and things on earth.” Our life, our world, our “remaining,” are ever in his
hands, and his is a tenderness that never disappoints.
Photo by Brother Brian. Excerpts from Sunday's Homily by Father Dominic.