Then we reflect on Christ with us:
We then have Christ in time as the ordering principle of the Universe, the dynamic task of holding this entire evolutionary project, with all its fits and starts, dead-ends and accidents, on course. We’ve called it “Christ among us.” This is where we find Jesus as the Christ – God’s manifestation, the human face of God – among first century Jews in Roman-occupied Palestine. Jesus reminds them – and us – that the “normalcy of civilization” as most societies define it – with its focus on personal wealth, status and power – is not quite the concrete actualization of God’s infinite potential that God has in mind. Jesus offers a means to re-order societies in line with God’s Dream for humanity and for the Universe. “Resurrection” is our way to capture the fact that this Jesus, as the Christ, is somehow still with us, and that we constitute the “Mystical Body of Christ.” This is where we are called to act: to be open to the Spirit, to listen, and to respond as best we can to ensure that evolution continues toward the fulfillment of the Universe. Some have called this “the Christ Project,” to emphasize that we play a key role in this unfolding – we are not mere passive observers.
This growing awareness of Christ with us is, I believe, at the heart of the Pentecost experience, and is what gave the first disciples their courage to continue Jesus’ mission. Paul will speak of the mystical “Body of Christ,” of which we are all members, with the unifying principle of the Christ as its head, holding it together, moving it forward, and providing ultimate meaning for all human effort.
Meditation:
In what ways can you see Jesus as the “human face of God”? In what ways can you see yourself as the human face of God? In what ways do you see others as the human face of God? Some theologians are speaking of the “Christ Project.” They refer to our fundamental task as humans as contributing to the building of the Christ – i.e., the fulfilment of God’s Dream to be fully present in all things. What might your contribution to the Christ Project be? What feelings does this approach evoke in you?