70) In Persona Christi 6/23/24
The Church teaches that our priests are “in persona Christi,” in the very person of Christ. This has come home to me in a way that reinforces the reality of God’s personal knowledge and love for little me; He recognizes and knows me!
It’s always a delight when I meet someone I haven’t seen for a while and their face lights up as we recognize each other! It’s obvious that they remember me, and that they’re happy to see me 🙂 (Me too!) Gathering for family celebrations, meeting at conferences, and just bumping into people at the grocery store are all opportunities the Lord provides to bring His children together as family.
The ones that have really spoken to my heart are when a holy priest (or even a bishop!) recognizes little me, and their look conveys a warm welcome. There are so very many people that call for the attention of our pastors, I often marvel that they are able to keep us all straight! As I enter my late 70’s, I’m that much more aware of seeing people that look familiar, and searching my memory files to identify how we’re connected 🙂 When the name and relationship come in to focus, it’s a real gift!
As the Lord has been reminding me again and again, He really knows ME, and He provides circumstances and happy surprises to confirm that in my heart 🙂 I think of going to Mass in a small town far from home, and as I approached the pastor to receive Jesus, he recognized me, and said my name, Ann! He had prepared me for entrance into the Catholic Church 40 years ago, and I hadn’t seem him in a long time. In my spirit, I heard Jesus through this good priest call my name, and smile at me.
I remember a special Bishop remembering my name as we headed on the Quo Vadis boat to Holy Name Retreat House at Chambers Island; we hadn’t seen each other in several years, but he remembered me, and called me by name!
Going to Mass in another small town away from home, there was my spiritual director as the celerbrant – he knows me well, but was surprised to see me there, and his happy and inviting greeting came to me as straight from Jesus; this priest was in persona Christi.
The most recent was at the a very large Mass with the Bishop presiding. My friends, who were ahead of me in the communion line, switched to the Bishop’s line, and I followed them. When he raised the Host, speaking those precious words, “the Body of Christ,” his eyes met mine, and lit up enough for me to know that he too recognized me, remembered me, and that it was a happy memory for him! Again, we hadn’t seen each other in several years, but had some written correspondence that had been a blessing for us both, and had created that bond of friendship that is centered on Christ. Once again I was reminded, “God Himself knows you, He remembers you, and He’s delighted to bless you again with a gift that would be meaningful only to you. He loves YOU!” (ME!!!). My heart sings with gratitude to the Good God Who can never be outdone in His generous love for His little children!
Lord God, how grateful I am for the repeated reminders of Your personal intimate love for me; that You know me, remember me, and delight in surprising me with this gift, offered especially through Your holy priests, “in persona Christi!” May You speak to each of their hearts so personally also, as they bring Your love and mercy to Your children…
Spiritual Sun Pennies 