The Fraternity of St Genesius - Online Novena 2009

In April of next year, the Shroud of Turin is due to be exposed for a period of forty days. This rare event allows the people of the world to gaze upon an image which many believe to be Jesus himself. Debate has surrounded this long piece of linen for centuries, most particularly in recent decades as the development of science allows us to delve deeper into the mysteries woven into the history of this artifact. Many scientists now accept that the evidence for authenticity (that it is the shroud in which the Lord Jesus was wrapped), is overwhelming. Their studies stimulate the curiosity of believers and non-believers alike. The question posed for centuries, “Is this the face of Jesus?” may be answered soon.

Christians have for centuries wanted to know what Jesus looked like. Our typical images are all alike, and a number of iconographical experts tell us that these images come from a single image – that of the man of the shroud: the ancient icons, for example, all treat of the face of Jesus in the same way. This interest in the image of Jesus emerges from a human desire to know him, to see him, to hear him, to understand him, and in the heart of the fervent Christian, to love him.

This year the theme of our novena is “To know Christ Jesus”. Having spent the last year reflecting on the life and teachings of St Paul, this theme is thoroughly Pauline, and Genesian. This theme takes up that human desire to know Jesus, not just what he was like – what he looked like, but to understand him, his teachings, and to respond to them in the most faithful way possible. When St Paul speaks of knowing Christ Jesus, he is speaking of love – of a profound relationship, of union: this is the aim of the Christian life. If we tried to explain who a Christian is, the best definition is that which emerges from loving Christ. We might say: the Christian is one who lives in union with Jesus Christ, is consecrated to him, and lives in imitation of him.

In these days of prayer to St Genesius, this is our theme: to know Christ Jesus in a better way and to love him more. As we enter into this novena we ask the grace from Christ himself to help us come closer to him, and as we remember others, be they the people of the theatrical and cinematic arts or those we have promised to pray for, we ask the Lord Jesus to go to them and draw them into his Heart. This is the greatest prayer we can offer for others and ourselves – to live in Jesus.

St Genesius discovered this at the moment of his conversion. Before he encountered the Lord, Christianity made no sense to him and this in a time when many noble Christians were laying down their lives for Christ in the arena: their heroic, saintly example did not touch him. But, like St Paul, something happened to him on that stage: he had an experience of Jesus Christ and it changed him; it touched him in the depths of his being. He came to know Christ Jesus and suddenly it all made sense, life made sense; even death made sense. In a short space of time, Genesius’s relationship with Jesus deepened to such an extraordinary degree that there was no fear of torture or martyrdom. His death was an opportunity to proclaim Christ. The words of William Shakespeare from Macbeth come to mind: in speaking of the rebellious Thane of Cawdor, Malcolm, the son of King Duncan, declares: “Nothing in his life/ Became him like his leaving it” (I, 4, ll. 7-8). He spoke about Cawdor’s repentance, but if we understand this quotation in a more positive light with regard to Genesius, we may see the powerful witness of his martyrdom: that it was the crowning glory of his life and career: his most sublime “speech”, his greatest testimony.

How could St Genesius endure such torment and death – was love enough? We look to our Gospel this evening. Jesus stands up in the Temple on the last day of the Feast of Shelters and proclaims that if anyone is thirsty let them come to him and drink, and then they will be satisfied. Is love of Christ enough? Yes, it is enough and more than enough. In our life with him, in union with him, we will receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit, and living water will flow out from the Heart of Jesus Christ to transform us, sustain us, guide us, make us worthy servants and witnesses, and yes, even martyrs if it is God’s will. That is why, as we begin our novena seeking to know Christ Jesus better and in interceding for all the petitions which will be submitted over the course of these nine days, we turn to the Holy Spirit. Jesus called him our Advocate, the one who comes to our help: so tonight we call upon him and ask his help.

17^th August 2009
Fr John Hogan
Father Director
The Fraternity of St Genesius