Over the centuries, Jesus has roused thousands of followers who have imitated some aspect of his life. It is impossible to imitate all aspects of his divine person, but we will continue to discover new ways to imitate him until the end of time, without preconceived stereotypes.
St. Francis of Assisi highlighted the poverty of Jesus; St. Dominic de Guzmán, his wisdom; St. John Bosco, his love for children; St. Thérèse of Lisieux, love in small details; Blessed Conchita Cabrera, the most intimate pains of the Divine Heart; St. Daniel Comboni, his evangelizing zeal; etc.
Ecclesial movements of spirituality, with their particular charisms, are also divine inspiration to reach all corners of the human heart: Some highlight joy; others, personal communication; others, the need for prayer; others, friendship; others, healing or reconciliation, teaching, accompanying the marginalized, migrants and others. How many new aspects of Jesus do we still have to discover and offer to the entire creation that suffers with labor pains until Christ is everything in all? (See 1 Corinthians 15:28.)
NASA discovered water deposits on the surface of Mars, which means other life forms could be possible. Could it be that God created human beings in other galaxies? Did they also sin and were redeemed by Christ?
We would have to invent new ways of evangelizing the “Martians,” or perhaps, if they exist, they will be the ones who will come to teach us new ways of being disciples of Christ. Since the Second Vatican Council, all the liturgy and expressions of faith of the Church have been adapted to the circumstances of times, places and peoples — the only thing that will never change is Jesus Christ and, nevertheless, he will always continue to surprise us.
“And how can they hear without someone to preach?” (Romans 10:14) During the long and hard time of the pandemic, we discovered new ways of evangelizing that broke with established stereotypes. God undoubtedly illuminated minds and drove hearts not to stay anchored in traditional ways and wait for believers in the church. We had to expand our horizons to continue feeding the people of God.
Christians are called to be as docile as water that adapts to every form of container and is always ready to be transformed: ice, steam, fog. Not in vain does Jesus use the image of water to describe himself.
The saints are those who have learned to allow God to surprise them and, with their lives, surprise the world around them with the loving power and grace of God. Jesus, the Son of God, cannot be pigeonholed. He will continue to call men and women for centuries and will continue to break stereotypes to offer his love to everyone.
Like Mary, let us allow the Almighty to break stereotypes with his Holy Love and say like her joyfully, “May it be done to me as you say.”
Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, M.Sp.S., is an auxiliary bishop of Seattle, also appointed regional bishop serving the northern region of the archdiocese.