Over the summer when my RC team doesn't meet for our regular "Encounter with Christ (EWC)," I can think that I don't miss it that much or that I'm fine without it; but, every fall, once I re-connect with my team and we have Encounter, I realize anew what a gift it is to me and how good it is for me, as if it was made for my soul! Actually, it was. That's part of what a charism is for those called to live it. Gift. Mystery. Inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Personally-crafted-for-you-by-the-Holy-Spirit spirituality. And like all his gifts, Christ doesn't ever thrust a particular spirituality or aspect of a spirituality, including Encounter, upon us. He lets us choose to enjoy the gift. (The ladies of my team are themselves gifts, too, but today I'm thinking about Encounter.)
I love going to Encounter because it helps me to live a certain "ortho-praxy," however imperfectly. Many Catholic-Christians, myself included, are often quite concerned with ortho-doxy (literally "right reason"). Are we remaining true to Christ and the Tradition of his Church [by doing this or that liturgical pratice]? Does this [insert philosophy, socio-political solution, refrain from a song] participate in the Truth of life as it is created by God? Lately, I've found myself reflecting more and more on the life-long challenge of ortho-praxy ("right practice"). Am I truly living the never-changing but always new challenges of the Gospels? Am I living them as Christ has called me individually to do so? Do others know I'm a Christian by my love? Or will I be vomited from the mouth of God for my lukewarmness?
EWC is a combination Gospel study, prayer group, and practical study group. Each week, we reflect on the coming Sunday's Gospel. We hold each other accountable to our personal commitments to a life of prayer and virtue. One representative offers a spontanteous prayer on behalf of all, lifting up the reflections, inspirations, and needs of the team. Then we spend time discussing a real life example of an act of inspired virtue (called a "case of life"): seeing its causes & consequences, comparing parallels in life & the Gospels, and, finally, commiting to a resolution that follows the case's example.
More later on this week's very moving case. I'm still busy thinking about it...In the meantime, Lord, thank you for Encounter.
