Record Rite of Election shows God’s presence in the Church in East Tennessee
By Bishop Mark Beckman
The days of Lent had just dawned when great numbers of people gathered at our Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus from all across our diocese. Every pew was filled and people lined all the walls of the church. Men, women, young, and old had come for the annual Rite of Election for those journeying to the Easter sacraments.
This year’s gathering may be the largest in our diocese’s history. Tears of joy filled my eyes as I saw their faces and heard the names of their parishes called as the directors of the catechumenate brought forward the Books of the Elect to be signed.
It is the ordinary task of the diocesan bishop to call people to the Easter sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and holy Eucharist. It is a deep reminder and reflection of the great mystery that it is God Himself who calls each one of us by name. “Come to me all you who are heavily burdened…” are the words of Jesus to each of us as we journey through Lent.
This year as I heard the names of our parishes spoken aloud, vivid memories of my journeys throughout our diocese came back to me. One of the greatest joys of my first year and half has been the opportunity to visit our communities all across East Tennessee (There are still a handful of communities yet to visit—and I eagerly look forward to that opportunity).
I have now traveled to the four corners of our beautiful diocese, from Copperhill at the southeastern tip (where the Georgia state line runs right through the church) to Mountain City at the northeast edge (where the excellence of the music and hospitality of God’s people struck me) to Jamestown at the northwest corner near the rugged beauty of the Big South Fork, all the way down to South Pittsburg in the southwest (where I received a cast-iron skillet made locally with my crest set upon it!).
Everywhere I have traveled I have witnessed our vibrant communities of faith, your dedication to the Lord, and your generosity and service. Our Catholic Church in East Tennessee is a growing and vibrant community numbering around 83,000 members.
This Lent we are invited to immerse ourselves more deeply into the mystery of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. The hundreds of people yearning for the waters of baptism this year are a living reminder to all of us who have been baptized that we have been claimed by Christ Jesus Himself. We are the beloved daughters and sons of God.
Yet in truth and humility, we know that we are also unfinished, that much in us still needs to be healed and forgiven, purified by the mystery of God’s love and mercy. The ashes that marked our foreheads, accompanied by the words “Repent, and be faithful to the Gospel!” vividly reminded us of that on Ash Wednesday.
Echoes back to the words of the baptismal liturgy—“This light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly…”—remind us that we have been entrusted with the sacred light of Christ Himself, meant to bear it to every town and hill and hollow throughout East Tennessee.
With our focus turned to the Easter celebration when the new Easter fire is lit and candlelight fills our churches, and as the Exsultet puts it, our buildings quake with joy, lest we know without a doubt that the Holy Spirit of God is at work. The Lord Jesus has conquered sin and death in His resurrection, and you and I are witnesses to this great mystery. May God who has begun this good work in us bring it to fulfillment!