Anyone who has seen the cathedra –– the bishop’s chair –– in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist has seen Bishop Edward Malesic’s coat of arms and his episcopal motto, “Serve the Lord with Gladness.”
The bishop spent some time recently at Theology on Tap East discussing his motto and how we can embrace our call to apostolic joy.
He directed the audience, consisting of young adults, to an encyclical, “God is Love,” written by the late Pope Benedict and released on Dec. 25, 2005, during the first year of his pontificate. The bishop explained that according to the encyclical, “Christianity is an encounter with an event, the Resurrection.” He said Jesus provided proof to the early disciples that he was God.
“I am a Christian. I encountered Jesus Christ. He is alive. He was love itself, the very face of love, a love that pours itself out for the sake of others,” Bishop Malesic said. “Jesus emptied himself of his divinity to become a slave for us.” He said Jesus was born without sin, recalling Scripture that tells us God so loved the world that he sent his only Son to save us.
“He won’t let the devil have the last word,” the bishop said.
Jesus taught us to be people who accept our identity given to us by God. We are made in his image and through baptism, we become sons and daughters of God. “He takes great joy in you because you are made in his image,” the bishop said.
The cross is a sign of our rebellion, of our sins. But Jesus refuses to let the devil win. He died for us, rose from the dead and returned to his disciples to bring the good news that he lives, Bishop Malesic said. “Jesus is present here. He abides in us and we in him.”
The bishop shared his story with the group, telling them he is the youngest of four children and the only one who attended public school. He dated an evangelical girl and attended church with her, but said he always believed in God. He started college with the hope of becoming a medical technologist, but experienced some difficulties during his freshman year. The bishop recalled receiving a Bible from the Gideons. He read it and his faith was reignited.
Shutting God out of our lives and not having a relationship with him leaves us lacking something and can lead to anger, he explained. Mother Teresa said those who give love give joy and no one is excluded from the joy of the Lord.
“God never tires of forgiving us, but we may tire of asking him,” the bishop said. “No one is looking for sorrow. We all want joy and that is what Jesus brings us.”
He encouraged the group to remember moments of grace in their lives. Receiving that Gideon Bible was a touchstone for him, he said, noting he plans to be buried with it. Before receiving that Bible, he knew Jesus and knew about him, “but I didn’t know him as a person. That encounter in college was a new birth.”
Bishop Malesic also recalled how when he was chosen by Pope Francis as bishop of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, he chose “Serve the Lord with Gladness” as his episcopal motto. Although he was nervous prior to the public announcement of his appointment, he recalled how those feelings disappeared after the announcement was made. “I knew many people would be praying for me. I chose my motto because I am a happy servant of the Lord.”
The bishop said the Church is in an age of mission. “There are people who don’t know Jesus is the only one who died, rose from the dead and never went back to the grave,” he said, emphasizing we must share that news.
“The nature of the Church is to go outside of itself,” the bishop said, noting the early Christians lived their faith. “The early Christians gathered as a family of faith, broke break, share Jesus’ teachings and did service. They were different and full of joy. They cared for others that no one else would care for.”
Bishop Malesic said he will be releasing his first pastoral letter this month. It will focus on worship, evangelization and service. He encouraged the group to welcome others to the faith, to invite them to attend programs like Theology on Tap and then to invite them to see their church.
“When did you encounter Christ? How has knowing Jesus brought a smile to your face? How has faith in Jesus raised you from the dead?” he asked.
In our modern era, people tend to listen more to witnesses, the bishop said.
“Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. Be ambassadors of love.”
During a question and answer session after his talk, the bishop was asked how people can build a relationship with God. The bishop said prayer –– opening yourself to God and spending time regularly in prayer plus reading Scripture –– is a key way to develop that relationship.
Learn more about Theology on Tap East here. The next program will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at Bar Louie in Lyndhurst. Julie Mallett and Melissa DiFini will discuss "Love in Action: The Gospel of Life and Walking with Moms in Need.”