"i wish to know christ" (phil 3:10)
"I never knew you. Out of My sight, you evildoers." —Matthew 7:23
Some of the Jews in exile in Babylon didn't know God in relationship (see 2 Kgs 24:14ff), and so they didn't change their lives as they might have had they been in a loving relationship with Him. They knew some information about God, but they didn't know Him. Because the book of the law had been "lost" in the Temple for many years (see 2 Kgs 22:8ff), many of these Jews did not even know the basic facts about God.
Learning facts about Jesus is important, but catechesis, which is making disciples and education in living the faith (Catechism, 4-5) is very much needed (Catechism, 10). Moreover, the aim of catechesis is to lead the disciple into a knowledge of Jesus that leads to a lifelong relationship of love, worship, obedience, and adoration (Catechism, 5-6).
In a sense, the Mass follows such a pattern. The Liturgy of the Word is a type of catechesis about Jesus. Then in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we receive Jesus into our bodies in the most intimate way. We come "to know Him in the breaking of bread" (Lk 24:35). Dedicate yourself to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Jesus, I don't want to even spend one more day on earth without knowing You as deeply as possible in my state of life.
Promise: "Help us, O God our Savior, because of the glory of Your name; Deliver us and pardon our sins for Your name's sake." —Ps 79:9
Praise: St. Irenaeus was martyred trying to reunite Eastern and Western Christians.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 27, 2018
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