Enountering Christ

What transformed Paul (Galatians 1:13-24) and transfixed Mary, much to her sister Martha's dismay (Luke 10:38-42)?  A personal encounter with Jesus. 

Pope Benedict XVI and many of those gathered at the current Synod of Bishops for "The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith" are talking about the centrality of a personal encounter and relationship with Jesus as the foundation for conversion and the proclamation of the Good News. In this month when we also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Vatican II, I pray that our leaders may be open to the same Spirit that animated that holy council. 

History and experience show that Christ is certainly mediated through the teachings and traditions of the Church, but not always, not always in the same way, and not only through those teachings and traditions. Can we as pastors and leaders in the Church be attentive to Christ speaking and working in other ways, including those that aren't the ones we're used to, expect, or perhaps even desire?--JC