What is the Charismatic renewal?
When I am asked about the Charismatic Renewal, how can I describe it?
False or incomplete answers repel many of our fellow believers. They breed misunderstanding and pain.
The Charismatic Renewal is not merely a reappearance of charisma, a renewal of prayer, a flaring up of one's commitment to Christ or the proliferation of brotherly communities. It is all of these and much more.
The Charismatic Renewal is the rejuvenation of the whole Christian life aroused in the Church by the Spirit. No aspect of this life should be overlooked. Through this renewal, the Holy Spirit intends to make us live soundly and fully a life centered on Jesus for God's glory.
Therefore, emphasis on one particular charisma should not cloud the necessity for universal renewal. On the other hand, none of the charisma should be discarded. They all stimulate the profound renewal of the whole Church, of all those spiritually reborn through baptism.
When this renewal is aroused, faith is enlightened, hope revives, charity grows, the Word is lived, brotherly love spreads, God is praised and joy overflows...
That is genuine renewal in the Spirit! Pope Paul VI encouraged it; John Paul II applauds it. It is a "great opportunity" given to the Church and the world.