The Power of Jesus Christ

We live in a world that is at war. Yes, there are actual wars happening in various places across the globe, such as Ukraine and the Holy Land. But, we should make no mistake at all—there is one over-arching war that is raging between the forces of good and evil. This Great War is cosmic and it has been going on from the moment when Lucifer said, “Non serviam!” (I will not serve). His refusal to serve God arose from his desire for power and, in his arrogance, from his blindness to the vision of beauty and freedom that comes from serving God. This declaration of pride echoed in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve fell prey to the Enemy’s temptation. Ever since, this cosmic war has raged in the world and in the hearts of men and women. So, where do we receive the power to go forth and rally on the side of goodness, of God?

There are a few other things to remember about this war. First, it has already been won. The victor is Jesus Christ Himself, Who by His Passion, Death and Resurrection has vanquished the Ancient Foe who started the whole dreadful affair. Our Lord the Victor Rex (Victorious King), is triumphant because, in His humility and poverty, submitted to agony and death on the Cross because of His unconquerable love for each one of us. In His Resurrection on the third day, death was defeated and became eternal life for Him and for us. We, too, are called to take sides in this war in which Christ is victorious. While we possess the free will given to us by God to choose our side, only one side promises eternal life and glory in His presence—the side of goodness and light, the side of God Himself. It is the only side that makes sense.

In fact, this great cosmic war is not a conflict solely between the good and the fallen angels. It is not a battle that is far away and long ago. This war between good and evil is in our world, in our midst, and in our lives, a war that seeks to rob the human person of dignity and identity as a son or daughter of the Heavenly Father. This cosmic conflict reaches into the very soul, mind and body of each one of us. The forces of darkness seek to convince us that the child in the womb is not a person and can be sacrificed on the altar of ambition and fear. Evil tries to convince us that gender is not given us by the Creator, but, rather, may be decided by the emotions, and confusion of persons who are often suffering from other disturbances in their life. In this war, those who seek power and control may be proposed as selfless workers when, in fact, they seek to consolidate power and financial gain at the cost of the dignity of others, conflicts on many levels may result—conflicts between nations and people, conflicts between individuals, and the abuse of the vulnerable.

But, as we have already noted, the victory of Christ has already been won, and He shares that victory with us. But still, we find ourselves in the midst of the conflict in which the forces of evil constantly seek to do as much damage as possible to us who are created in the image and likeness of the Father. God calls us to fight for the goodness and light of

His unconditional and unfailing love. True. left to ourselves, we are bound to fail, but in and through Our Lord Jesus Christ, the victory is ours. Yet again, we ask, “How do we receive His power and his help to conquer evil?”

We know that Christ by His Passion, Death and Resurrection defeated Satan, our Ancient Foe and rescued us from the darkness of sin and death. How do we tap into His Paschal Mystery. The Second Vatican Council teaches that taking part in the Eucharistic Sacrifice is the “source and summit of the whole Christian Life” (Lumen Gentium #11). The Council Fathers also teach, “The Most Blessed Eucharist contains the entire spiritual boon of the Church, that is, Christ himself, our Pasch and Living Bread, by the Holy Spirit through his very flesh vital and vitalizing, giving life to men who are thus invited and encouraged to offer themselves, their labors and all created things, together with him. In this light, the Eucharist shows itself as the source and the summit of the whole work of preaching the Gospel” (Presbyterorum Ordinis #5). Finally, the Council Fathers of Vatican II assert. “As often as the sacrifice of the cross in which Christ our Passover was sacrificed, is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried on…” (Lumen Gentium, #3)

The power and the help we need to do battle in this cosmic war between good and evil comes to us at the altar of God where the Sacrifice of Christ is made present. It is there that we are strengthened by receiving His very Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in Holy Communion. It is at the altar where we receive power by His Passion, and Death and Resurrection.

When we come to the Sacrifice of the Mass, we are given hope and strength, power and love, to go forth to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. His Gospel teaches that His Father has first loved us and sent His Son Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim that every single person, from the moment of conception to natural death, has the right to life and to pursue the truth, to adore and love God and to offer loving service to our brothers and sisters. From the Sacred Mysteries of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection, we receive abundant grace and renewed faith to proclaim the Gospel and to aid and support sacramental marriage and family life.

As we receive the Body and Blood of Our Lord in Holy Communion, we can go forth to serve the poor and all those on the peripheries. In order for us to bring Christ and His good news to others, we must first come to the altar and be united with the Mystery of His Death and Resurrection. We must be immersed in His Eucharistic Sacrifice and receive his Body and Blood in order for us to be Eucharistic missionaries and proclaim His Presence in our midst.

As we find ourselves in this cosmic battle between good and evil, we receive the power of Christ in His Eucharistic Presence. He shares His victory when we come to Mass

and receive Him. At the Eucharistic Sacrifice we come to the living and beating Heart of the Church, Christ Himself truly present on the . In order to be sent forth and do battle for the vulnerable on the peripheries, we must first come to the Victorious King and receive Him at the altar. If we do not come, we cannot go forth!

Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid

Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh