Roger Bourgeon: WHAT'S THE POINT OF TALKING JESUS TODAY?

Dom Helder:

Because this man changed history. He is alive in history. At every step I meet him everyday. And I meet him in the flesh. He said, whoever suffering humiliated, crushed is he. In our own times when more the two-thirds of the human race are living in the sub- human conditions, it’s easy enough to meet him in the flesh.

Was Jesus exactly the evangelists say he was? I’m no biblical critic. I’m not against biblical criticism, but I prefer to let the critics get on their own discussions. On my part I am as sure of Christ’s existence as I am of my own hand with it’s five fingers. I can touch and see. I meet Jesus every day. And we are one. No doubt about it.

BUT WAS THERE ANY PARTICULAR MOMENT WHEN YOU DISCOVER THIS?

Like the child discovering it has feet. It has always known it’s got feet, but one day it discovers them.

Like at the given moment, certainly, I became aware of Christ’s presence in those who suffer, and of his presence inside of myself. When? I don’t know.

I was brought up in a family that was Christian  not so much by labels as in actions. My mother and father didn’t practice their religion very regularly. Who gave me the idea of becoming a priest when I was still a little boy? What did this desire amount to in my childish mind?

 Anyhow, one day my father asked me this question: ‘you keep saying you want to be a priest? But do you really understand what being a priest involves?' He then sketched the ideal priest in terms exactly corresponding what I felt with out understanding, to what I dreamed though unable to put in to words: "My boy, priest and self –centeredness don’t go together. That’s impossible. Priest isn’t his own master. He has only one reason for living: to live for others’.

This corresponded precisely to what he Lord had already sown in my heart. All my life I’ve lived the dream of being one with Christ to help my fellow beings conquer their self - centeredness.

YOU SPEAK TO JESUS. DOES HE SPEAK TO YOU?

Whenever you listen to someone who is suffering, you hear Christ voice. And whenever you meet someone suffering, you meet Him in person.