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By David Peterman, Jr., Overall Coordinator
Brothers and Sisters, I praise God for the opportunity to have represented you during the week of events in Rome celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. It was truly an awesome experience to be with so many from the renewal -- at one time and in one place! I was told that over 35,000 people from more than 120 countries gathering for the five days in Rome. The blessing extended beyond just the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal as it also included the celebration of Pentecost in St. Peter’s Square.
The highlight of the week for me was the Pentecost Vigil that was held the evening before Pentecost in Rome’s Circus Maximus. It is hard to picture this space, which today is a city park but was originally used by the Romans for their chariot races and was said to be the place where many Christians lost their lives. It is more than a football field wide and six and a half football fields long. It was incredible to see so many people gathering in one space raising their hands, singing, praising the Lord. Simply amazing.
Specific challenge
Our Holy Father’s words to us that evening were very specific and challenging. He opened with the call for unity “for the mission, to proclaim that Jesus is the Lord, to proclaim the Good News to all peoples!” For this reason he did not just invite Catholic Charismatics to Rome to celebrate the golden jubilee but rather extended the invitation to ALL Charismatics. He reminded us that the renewal was not born Catholic. It was born ecumenical and that today it is more urgent that ever that we unite together, all Christians, as the “one Bride” preparing for our Savior’s return. Pope Francis, sharing the stage with Pentecostal leaders, quoted a Lutheran brother asking that we recognize our diversity but that it be “reconciled diversity” so that we can build our unity.
He further proclaimed that
“We have gathered to pray together, to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit upon each one of us to go out on the ways of the city and the world to proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ.”
Proclaim Jesus is Lord!
This is what unites us -- our common mission to be ambassadors for the Lord. To proclaim him as Lord! This ecumenical focus has long been an important aspect of the Catholic Fraternity -- it was awesome to hear it so strongly encouraged by our Holy Father!
Those of us who have been a part of the Charismatic Renewal in the United States for many years have witnessed what seems like a decline in participation. I have wondered whether it is a negative reaction to our vocal public prayer and praise. I was very encouraged by our Holy’s Father’s words of encouragement concerning Praise
[Y]ou remind the Church continually of the power of the prayer of praise. Praise that is the prayer of gratitude and thanksgiving for God’s gratuitous love. It might be that this way of prayer does not please someone, but it is certain that it is inserted fully in the biblical tradition. The Psalms, for instance: David dancing before the Arc of the Covenant full of jubilation . . . And, please, let us not fall into the attitude of Christians with the “Michal’s complex,” who was ashamed of the way David praised God [dancing before the Arc].
Jubilation, joy, joy is the fruit of the same action of the Spirit. Either the Christian experiences joy in his heart or something is not working – the joy of the proclamation of the Good News of the Gospel!
What a strong encouragement to continue our charism of Praise!
Personal impact
On a personal level what had the biggest impact on me was the Holy Father’s call for the Charismatic renewal to be a “service to man.” He stated that
Baptism in the Holy Spirit, praise, service to man – the three things are indissolubly united. I can praise in a profound way, but if I do not help the neediest, it’s not enough. “There was not a needy person among them” (Acts 4:34), says the Book of Acts. We will not be judged for our praise but for what we did for Jesus.
Wow, what an important reminder and exhortation. We will not be judged by our praise but for what we did for Jesus. Those words struck me immediately and have been a constant cause for reflection since returning from Rome.
Our response?
How can I respond? How can the Community respond? How can the school respond? Who are the neediest that God is calling me to serve? As I have pondered these questions this past month the Holy Spirit has reminded me of the many ways that people are needy and that it is my responsibility to be open, attentive, and responsive to these needs. Recently the Gospel was about the call of Mathew who responded immediately. Please join me in this reflection, personally and as a community and in all the ministries of the Community. Who are the neediest that we are called to serve?
The celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and Pentecost in Rome was not just another pilgrimage to a holy place but provided strong affirmation for our charism of Praise along with a renewed call for Christian Unity and Service.