Novo Millennio Ineunte part III

The Way to Communion
by Virginia King

After speaking of the encounter with the living Jesus Christ as the way to conversion, Pope John Paul teaches us that the fruit of conversion is communion. What does he mean by communion? As Catholics, we most often mean receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. The other common reference we hear is to the “communion of saints.”

Communion refers to an intimate relationship that results in unity which honors the distinction of the individuals. So when we say that the fruit of conversion is communion, it means that the change of heart we experience results in a relationship with God and with others that is marked by supernatural unity. And the Eucharist is both a sign of this unity and a source of this unity.

“The Eucharist is the creative force and source of communion among the members of the Church, precisely because it unites each one of them with Christ himself.” (Communio Notio, 5)

The mandate for the Church in America is summarized in the following paragraph, which is very rich and worthy of extended meditation.

“Faced with a divided world which is in search of unity, we must proclaim with joy and firm faith that God is communion, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, unity in distinction, and that He calls all people to share in that same Trinitarian communion. We must proclaim that this communion is the magnificent plan of God the Father; that Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Lord, is the heart of this communion, and that the Holy Spirit works ceaselessly to create communion and to restore it when it is broken. We must proclaim that the Church is the sign and instrument of the communion willed by God, begun in time and destined for completion in the fullness of the Kingdom. The Church is the sign of communion because her members, like branches, share the life of Christ, the true vine. Through communion with Christ, Head of the Mystical Body, we enter into living communion with all believers.” (Ecclesia in America, 33)

The bishops have tremendous responsibility to promote unity within their diocese and between dioceses and with other Christian Churches and ecclesial communities. “The diocese is charged with initiating and deepening the encounter of all the members of God’s People with Jesus Christ, respecting and fostering that plurality and diversification which are not obstacles to unity but which give it the character of communion.” (no.36) In our Archdiocese, we look to Archbishop Brunett and Bishop Thomas to lead all of us to encounter Jesus, the Good Shepherd and to fulfill our privilege and duty to evangelize the world. When you consider the implications of this, it appears an impossible task, and would be, except for the grace of God. For this reason, we need to be very diligent in our prayers for our bishops and for the priests who share in this work.

Within this topic of communion, the document explores many arenas that need to be addressed: promoting priestly vocations, renewing parishes, permanent deacons, consecrated life, lay faithful and the renewal of the church, the dignity of women, challenges facing Christians families, the hope that young people bring to the future, leading children to encounter Christ, and ecumenical and inter-faith endeavors.

Of particular interest to those of us in Charismatic Renewal is the role we might play in serving the renewal of parishes. “Parishes are called to be welcoming and fraternal, places of Christian initiation, of education in and celebration of the faith, open to the full range of charisms, services and ministries, organized in a communal and responsible way, capable of utilizing existing movements of the apostolate, attentive to the cultural diversity of the people, open to pastoral projects which go beyond the individual parish, and alert to the world in which they live.” (no. 41)

We have much to offer in helping people appropriate a fuller experience of the graces of the sacraments of initiation and in nurturing charisms. The prayer groups which gather in many parishes are also one example of the opportunity needed for people to be welcomed in a group “of a size that allows for true human relationships. This makes it possible to live communion more intensely…” (no. 41)

Unity which is artificial or superficial is not true communion. We are dependant on true communion with God and with one another in order to be able to lead others to encounter the living Jesus Christ. So communion is not only the fruit of conversion, but a prerequisite for fruitful evangelization. Can you see how essential it is for us to take this mandate seriously?

 “As you, Father, are in me and I in you, may they also be one in us” (Jn 17:21).

You can find this document on the Vatican website www.vatican.va or order a copy from the WWCCR bookstore for $3.95.