Person, not rules

OBVIOUSLY, rules are also very important. In fact, they usually are indispensable. Let’s just see to it that they lead us to the person of Christ, expressed in our ever-refined love for the others, instead of getting stuck with the subtle grip of legalism that rules are vulnerable to if not clearly infused with the love of God.

            That seems to be behind that famous line Pope Emeritus Benedict repeated many times during his pontificate. Here are some samples:

-“Christianity is not a new philosophy or new morality. We are Christians only if we encounter Christ... Only in this personal relationship with Christ, only in this encounter with the Risen One do we really become Christians... “

-"Many people perceive Christianity as something institutional -- rather than as an encounter with Christ -- which explains why they don't see it as a source of joy." 

-"The essence of Christianity...is an ever-new encounter with... the God who speaks to us, who approaches us and who befriends us!" 

I must confess that the first time I heard about the expression, “encounter with the person of Christ,” I thought it was more of a catchy sound bite than something of real substance. On second thought, of course, I realize Christianity cannot be any other way.

            Let us therefore work on this encounter which is actually very feasible because Christ himself, in the first place, guarantees it. “Behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world,” he assured the apostles. (Mt 28,20)

            “Where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them,” he also said (Mt 18,20)

            It’s more on us that the possibility of this encounter depends. We tend to ignore him. Worse, many of us can question the validity of faith, and would rather rely on our senses and intelligence as if with these human powers we already can have access to the fullness of reality.

            We need to reiterate the truth that God who created us in his image and likeness, adopting us as his children through his Son in the Spirit, never ceases to love us even if we do not reciprocate to that love. His mercy is forever.

            We just need to work out our God-given capacity to meet Christ. He has given us the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. Over and above these, the Holy Spirit has given us his 7 gifts that would more intimately enable us to second the will and ways of God.

            He has given us the Church, the sacraments, the doctrine, and many other distinctive charisms adapted to the needs of people in different times and places. We just have to work out our faith.

            With respect to the rules and laws that govern us, we have to be wary of two extreme dangerous tendencies. One is to consider them as containing everything that we need to know about reality to the extent that they control consciences. The other is to consider them to be useless to the extent of provoking anarchy in society.

            The former goes against the obvious fact that rules and laws that are man-made will never be perfect and therefore are always in need of refinement. They cannot fully capture the richness of reality, especially things related to the intimate personal lives of individuals as well as the spiritual and supernatural realities.

            Therefore, there are times when we have to go beyond them, but not against them, or even, in some extreme cases, to set them aside, since they could later be found to be working against the true common good.

            We should be wary of legalism and traditionalism. Christ himself warned: “Well do you make void the commandments of God, that you keep your own tradition.” (Mk 7,9) We should remember that if not vitally connected with Christ, they easily become instruments of our games driven by pride, arrogance, greed, envy, etc.

            In the latter case, we need to realize that rules and laws are always necessary. They put order in our life. If inspired by love of God and vitally connected to Christ, then these rules and laws are actually holy. They illuminate the way for us to fulfil the great commandment of Love.

            It is important therefore that we all strive to have a personal encounter with Christ. This is possible and feasible. This is guaranteed by Christ himself. We just have to do our own part.