Essential aspects of Christian living

January 1, 2006 -- Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Mother Of God

By Bishop Robert Morneau

	Bishop Robert Morneau
	Questions for reflection: 1. What role do the Scriptures play in your life? 2. What is the quality of your worship? 3. How do you spread love and justice in the world?

James J. Bacik, in his book Contemporary Theologians, writes: "All aspects of Christian life - reading the Scriptures, participating in the liturgy, spreading love in the world, and reflecting theologically - should work together to sharpen our vision of the loving triune God manifested in Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh" (55).

As we begin the gift of this new year we do well to pause and reflect on our "Christian life," and to do so on this feast of Mary, the Mother of God, who lived fully the life of discipleship. According to Fr. Bacik, there are four essential aspects of Christian living all based on a vision of a loving God made manifest in Jesus, the son of Mary.

1. Reading the Scriptures! Revelation, the word of God, is the compass for the Christian life. As we ponder the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament we come to an understanding of the truths of our faith. Today we hear in Luke how Jesus was born and consecrated to the Lord; St. Paul instructs us about the designated time and how Jesus came, born of a woman and under law, and set us free and made us heirs of the kingdom; in the book of Numbers we learn how to bless one another and live in God's presence.

In the Gospel acclamation we have the essence of our feast: "In the past, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets; now He speaks to us through His Son" (Heb. 1:1-2). Because Mary said yes to the word of God spoken to her, now we are given the Word. And his message? The good news of God's love and mercy is available to all.

2. Participating in the liturgy! This is the second element of the Christian life. We gather in communal prayer to worship and praise our God. We are people of word and sacrament. Through the word we, like Mary who treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart, are called to a contemplative spirit. With loving attention we adhere to God's word and then go to the altar to celebrate Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. It is in the Eucharist in a particular way that we experience God's graciousness and peace.

3. Spreading love in the world! And, we might add, justice! Mary was given the child Jesus and immediately she shared Him with the world on the day of His circumcision. Jesus, Love made manifest, reveals to us the mystery of God. It is love (Love) that makes the world go around; it is love that brings meaning into life. St. Paul experienced God's love and spread that love throughout the world. This apostle to the Gentiles tells us: "You are no longer a slave . . ." We are sons and daughters of a loving God who invites us to receive that gift of love and give it away.

4. Reflecting theologically! One of the lessons that Fr. Karl Rahner (1904-1984) left the world is that in the ordinary events of daily life - working, playing, eating, sleeping, speaking - there is a "depth dimension." God is at work but we have to reflect upon our ordinary experience to see the working of grace. This is what Mary did - treasuring and reflecting on God's action in her life. This reflection (theological - that is, where is God in all this?) leads to the possibility of a grateful response.

2006! A New Year! Another opportunity to recommit ourselves to Christian living - pondering God's word, gathering in communal worship to thank and praise God, reaching out in love and justice to those in need, reflecting seriously on God's working in our life. A noble task and one filled with meaning.

(Bp. Morneau is the auxiliary bishop of the Green Bay Diocese and pastor of Resurrection Parish in Allouez.)