Novo Millennio Ineunte part IV

The Spirituality of Communion
by Virginia King

The first article in this series gave the overview of the Letter and reflected on the Pope’s vision for “a future full of hope.” The second article focused on the “universal call to holiness.” The third major theme of this letter is the “spirituality of communion.”

A study of the “spirituality of communion” would be a life-long endeavor. In fact, to live out the spirituality of communion is the life-long vocation of all Christians. The Catholic understanding of communion is rooted in the mystery of the Trinity. Communion refers to an intimate relationship that results in unity that honors the distinction of the individuals. We are called to share in the very unity which the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit share. They are Three in One. As members of Christ’s Body, we share in this unity. “The body is one and has many members, but all the members, many though they are, are one body; and so it is with Christ.” (1 Cor 12:12)

Every other member of Christ’s Body is a part of you and me. This is a truth that we struggle to comprehend. At a recent healing service, I caught a glimpse of this. As the leader was praying for various individuals, calling out healings through the word of knowledge, I began to grasp that each of these healings was, in a certain sense, for me. I was rejoicing in the healing of the Body of Christ. When one person was healed of a pain in their leg, I thanked God for healing our leg. Again, when a person was healed of depression, I thanked God for healing our depression. When a person was grieving a lost one, I asked God to comfort us.

I had a profound experience of the deep and true connection we have in the Body of Christ, so that, as Paul says, “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members share its joy.” (1 Cor 12:26) This scripture needs to come alive in our hearts! Pope John Paul II expresses it in this way:

“A spirituality of communion implies the ability to see what is positive in others, to welcome it and prize it as a gift from God: not only as a gift for the brother or sister who has received it directly, but also as a ‘gift for me.’ A spirituality of communion means, finally, to know how to ‘make room’ for our brothers and sisters, bearing ‘each other’s burdens’ (Gal 6:2) and resisting the selfish temptations which constantly beset us and provoke competition, careerism, distrust, and jealousy. Let us have no illusions: unless we follow this spiritual path, external structures of communion will serve very little purpose. They would become mechanisms without a soul, ‘masks’ of communion rather than its means of expression and growth.” (NMI 43)

Our communion with one another must be genuine. It must be without masks. What a challenge! And it would be impossible except for the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in our hearts. The Holy Spirit is the source of our unity. We must rely on His help with all that is within us. When our unity is threatened by the selfish temptations that beset us, we must refuse to give in to these temptations. We must be quick to seek reconciliation, understanding and cooperation. May the Lord give us the grace to do this each day!

This spirituality of communion extends beyond the Church into the whole of humanity. Jesus identifies himself with the poor, with those who are needy—“Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers that you do unto me.” (Mt 25:40) For this reason, we have a duty to defend the dignity of every human being, to promote respect for every human life, to make a preferential option for the poor.

The spirituality of communion also includes the constant proclamation of the Gospel to all peoples. The Gospel is “a gift meant for all, and to be offered to all with the greatest respect for the freedom of each one. …It is a grace which fills us with joy, a message which we have a duty to proclaim.” (NMI 56)

“I pray that all may be one as you, Father, are in me, and I in you; I pray that they may be one in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.” John 17:21 AMEN!

(This is the final article in the series of reflections on the Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte. It is my hope that these reflections will give you a hunger to read this Apostolic Letter in its entirety. You can find this document on the Vatican website www.vatican.va or order a copy from the WWCCR bookstore for $3.95.)