Loving the Bride, vol 11

Something old....

The human dimension of the mystery of the Redemption

Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience it and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it. This, as has already been said, is why Christ the Redeemer "fully reveals man to himself". If we may use the expression, this is the human dimension of the mystery of the Redemption. In this dimension man finds again the greatness, dignity and value that belong to his humanity. In the mystery of the Redemption man becomes newly "expressed" and, in a way, is newly created. He is newly created! "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus"64. The man who wishes to understand himself thoroughly-and not just in accordance with immediate, partial, often superficial, and even illusory standards and measures of his being-he must with his unrest, uncertainty and even his weakness and sinfulness, with his life and death, draw near to Christ. He must, so to speak, enter into him with all his own self, he must "appropriate" and assimilate the whole of the reality of the Incarnation and Redemption in order to find himself. If this profound process takes place within him, he then bears fruit not only of adoration of God but also of deep wonder at himself. How precious must man be in the eyes of the Creator, if he "gained so great a Redeemer"65, and if God "gave his only Son "in order that man "should not perish but have eternal life"66.

In reality, the name for that deep amazement at man's worth and dignity is the Gospel, that is to say: the Good News. It is also called Christianity.

-----Pope John Paul II, Redemptor hominis, 1979.

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Now, if the above moved you at all, I beg you to read the beautiful conversion story of Elizabeth Foss-Genovese, a well-known author and humanities professor from Emory University who recently died. We should all take notes on her life on how to live counter-culturally with love.

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Something new...

Check out Catholic Exchange's new "productivity" blog... CE On Time featuring posts from Lisa Hendey, editor of CatholicMom.com, among others!
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Christopher West's next Theology of the Body "Immersion Course" is offered here. My take on it, here.

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Something borrowed....

Here's an interesting article on CE from Fr. Pavone (Priests for Life) on Senator Brownback's stand on pro-life issues and more.

For your Christian growth and possible small group or family use, here's Life After Sunday.

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Something blue....

Novena to Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help

See at your feet, O Mother of Perpetual Help, a poor sinner who has recourse to you and confides in you.

O Mother of Mercy, have pity on me!
You are called the refuge and hope of sinners; be my refuge and my hope.
Help me, for the love of Jesus Christ; stretch forth your hand to a poor, fallen creature.
I recommend myself to you, and I want to devote myself to your service forever.
I bless and thank almighty God, who in his mercy has given me this confidence in you, which I hold to be a pledge of my eternal salvation.

Mary, help me. Mother of Perpetual Help, never allow me to lose my God.

(Say the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, three times.)








Copyright 2007 Patricia W. Gohn