Sharing Easter Regeneration

I believe in Jesus Christ, the Savior and spiritual Regenerator of the world. (Confession of Faith of the P.N.C.C.)

During this time of the year, we begin to notice that after months of cold and barren landscape, the greenness of nature is once again returning.  Life blooms forth and our outlook is enlivened.  And of course this yearly reminder in nature coincides with the spiritual reality that we find ourselves in the season of the Resurrection.

We are now seven weeks or so after the Solemnity of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and it is during this time of year that we begin to see things a little differently.  On Easter Sunday we are filled with joy as we, during the celebration of Holy Mass, spiritually come to the empty tomb and then sing the joyous hymn, “Come Rejoice, Our Lord is Risen.”  On that Easter Sunday and even as we extend it to the Second Sunday of Easter, our joy is very much focused on the joy we have that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has been victorious over sin and death and has now conquered the grave.

Yet as we now move to the later Sundays of the Easter season, the focus begins to shift just a little.  Yes the joy of Easter remains with us, but then there is an added dimension.  And this dimension is what the Easter faith says about us.  This becomes especially true during and after the Solemnity of the Ascension.  In the gospels which we read for this day we see a commission to the apostles and the church.  In Matthew at the ascension we hear Jesus say, “Full authority has been given to Me both in heaven and on earth; go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations.  Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:18-20a)  Likewise for the same scene in Mark again Jesus says, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)  And again the same scene in Luke, Jesus says to the Eleven, “Thus it is written that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.  In His name, penance for the remission of sins is to be preached to the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of all this.” (Luke 24:46-48)  Although the wording may be different in these three Gospels, the message is the same, as Jesus ascends to heaven the apostles are to go and spread the good news, teach and baptize, be witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus.

Bishop Hodur spoke about this message of our Lord and its meaning for us as His people.  In “Our Faith” he writes, “But before all we find in [Jesus] a regenerator of the human soul, this higher and holier force which united God with man, removed the barriers between heaven and earth, and has underscored for mankind an eternally perfect purpose for existence … God’s Kingdom on earth.  Christ is new life, a life conscious of God, the fulfillment in the life of individual man and in all mankind of the ideals of love, justice and self-sacrifice. (Hodur, “Our Faith,” page 39-40)

But of course as the Church today we also ask the question, how exactly do we accomplish this?  In a society which seems to look less and less to religion not only for answers in life’s issues, but in fact for anything, how do we reach these people?

As I am sure many of you have heard a recent Pew Research Study has concluded that among all the major Christian religious groups in America, all have declined.  The statistic that is particularly disturbing is that the percentage of Christians in America has declined from 78.4% in 2007 to 70.6% in 2014 and at the same time those labeled as unaffiliated; atheists, agnostics and nothing, have risen from 16.1% in 2007 to 22.8% in 2014.  These may be alarming figures and may point to the fact that we, as Christians, both leaders and laity, have not been fulfilling our role.  But while these figures are alarming, they also present us with a challenge and opportunity.

The challenge is that nearly one quarter of the population of our country either does not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, or has chosen to forsake any previous relationship they may have had.  Nearly 1 in 4 people you meet every day are “unaffiliated.”  This is where the lives of all Polish National Catholics must come into play.  By definition we are surrounded by people who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, so then what do these people see within your own life that shows forth the relationship that you have with Jesus?  Can they tell that you are a Christian, and also if they can, what kind of relationship with Jesus do they see?

We are people who take seriously our worship of God the Father and proclaim within our parishes that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has died for our sins and is risen from the dead.  This action goes on each and every Sunday when we gather for the celebration of Holy Mass and encounter Christ once again in Word and Eucharist; but has a change been made in how we act and think and speak at every other moment of our lives?  Are we regenerated people, or does our Christianity just make itself known for one hour a week?

In regards to this regeneration through Jesus Christ, Bishop Hodur wrote, “Through [Jesus’] person and teaching He was instrumental in the ennoblement and regeneration of the human race that had degenerated greatly in the times of the Roman Empire.” (Hodur, “Our Faith,” page 39)  And this is true, not only for that time, but for our time as well.  Studies have shown us that the degeneration of the human race is still an issue.  If fact we really don’t need studies when the news we hear ever day reminds us that the loving presence of Jesus is absent and so sorely needed.

Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and was risen to life again, is the answer.  But His witnesses are needed, each of us who proclaim to be Polish National Catholic is needed to witness to this message, not only on Sunday morning, but in the world at every moment.  We must be the ones who show others our regenerated life and “teach them to carry out everything Jesus has commanded us.”

My brothers and sisters, the time of Pentecost is coming quickly.  It is the time of the Spirit, the time of the Church.  Let the Holy Spirit show forth in your life.  Let the work of the Church be a part of everything that you do, think and speak.  Let us be truly regenerated people, living the new life of Jesus Christ each and every day.  And especially let us be ready to act as St. Peter reminds us, “Who indeed can harm you if you are committed deeply to doing what is right?  Even if you should have to suffer for justice’ sake, happy will you be.  Fear not and do not stand in awe of what this people fears.  Venerate the Lord, that is, Christ, in your hearts.  Should anyone ask you the reason for this hope of yours, be ever ready to reply.” (1 Peter 3:13-15)  Yes, be ever ready to reply that as regenerated people, we “know Christ and the power flowing from His Resurrection.” (Philippians 3:10a)