Originally published at National Catholic Register
COMMENTARY: The Holy Father’s new encyclical calls the faithful to embody Christ’s heart of love and service in their daily lives, emphasizing the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
Pope Francis invites us to gaze upon the heart of Christ, a heart that reveals the depth and beauty of God’s love in his new encyclical Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us). This is no distant or abstract love, but a love that reaches down to meet us in our humanity, in the messiness of daily life and in the quiet longings of our hearts.
For the laity, this call to love is especially significant. While ordained ministry has a distinct, vital role within the Church’s hierarchy, Dilexit Nos reminds us that the call to serve as Christ the Servant extends to all the baptized. Baptism marks the entry into a vocation of love and service, one that transcends the boundaries of the sanctuary and reaches into every corner of life, work, community and beyond. The heart of Christ becomes the model for a spirituality that is not reserved only for the clergy but is meant to permeate and penetrate the life of every Christian.
5 Key Takeaways
Dilexit Nos
