'Called On This Journey Of Faith
During the RCIA Rite of Election and Call to Conversion, held Feb. 22 at St. Benedict Cathedral, in Evansville, Bishop Charles C. Thompson welcomed more than 150 Catechumens and Candidates from across the diocese to this stop along what he called a lifelong journey of conversion.
“It’s important you hear those words – lifelong conversion,” Bishop Thompson said, “because although our Church is filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit, we are human beings. You are joining a group of sinners … with the saints. Make no bones about it; we are all sinners. We gather as Church not because we have earned or merited God’s grace. We gather as Church because we all stand in need of God’s mercy and God’s grace.
“Your journey didn’t just start today when you made your way here,” he said, “and it really didn’t start when you began the RCIA process. Each of us has our own different journey. And although we have a set few months to gather in this (RCIA) process, each one of us is on our own individual journey. All along the way, God’s grace leads us to this point.”
Bishop Thompson talked about all the messages in today’s world regarding what people need to be happy. He mentioned the right clothing, the right perfume, the right vacation, the right car, the right-sized house, the right people to hang out with.
“In the first reading, Paul tells us that what truly satisfies is already within our grasp,” Bishop Thompson said. “Contrary to the world’s message, Paul tells us it’s within us already – because we are created in the image of God. There is something sacred within each one of us.”
He also discussed the Gospel reading – Luke 4: 1-13 – in which the devil quote scripture twice. “Not once but twice he quotes Scripture,” Bishop Thompson said of the devil. “Even the devil knows Scripture. To know Scripture does not make us Christian. To know about God does not; to know about Jesus Christ does not.
“We are called to do more,” he continued. “We are called on the journey of faith to have a personal encounter with God – with the person of Jesus Christ. That journey of faith is not for just Catechumens and Candidates, but also for priests, godparents … our entire community.
“We gather here today … because all of us need this moment to proclaim the God of our faith, to proclaim our own need to continue the journey – to continue to seek out God’s ways, God’s grace and God’s will in our daily lives.
“This is a great day for all of us,” he said. “As Church, we thank you catechumens and candidates for your courage and your humility to step forward in this journey. You remind us all how precious is the gift of our faith.”
Following the bishop’s homily, parishes from across the diocese first presented their Catechumens – those who will be baptized and confirmed, and receive the Eucharist during the Easter Vigil. Parishes then presented their Candidates – those who will be confirmed and receive the Eucharist during the Easter Vigil. Their respective sponsors joined them in the presentation.
