Over the past week a lot has
happened, I have wrapped up my ministry as a Pastoral Assistant, I have helped
to plan a First Mass in a new church (which is absolutely gorgeous!), I have
enjoyed an awesome farewell party, I have cleaned out my apartment, moved out
of it and have started to unpack and organize my belongings and life for both a
temporary and permanent stay at my parent’s place. I am also dealing with wrapping
up details that come with a move and looking ahead to my Postulancy year which
begins in 20 days.
In the mix of last week I found
out I will have another classmate this year, so there will be nine of us living
in the Friary. That is exciting! All I know is his name, so another adventure
awaits as I will be meeting more people in the next month that will really help
shape my next year.
As I reflect on the last week, the
many blessings and fond memories that my farewell from the parish brought to my
attention, the following prayer has been playing through my mind over and over
again. This prayer is accredited to Oscar Romero but was written by +Bishop Ken
Untener of Saginaw. This prayer has long been a favorite of mine and at this
moment in my journey it seems to speak volumes.
It helps, now and
then, to step back and take a long view.
The kingdom is not
only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent
enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete,
which is a way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an
opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
I will be forever grateful for my years at Resurrection. I
could never be all and do all at the parish but for me the last lines of this
prayer best describe my time there. I always tried to live from the reality
that I was a worker and minister not a master builder or messiah. My ministry
was always about others, helping others share their gifts, helping others to
shine their light and reflect Christ into our world. It was never about me,
always about Christ and always will be about Christ. I am so grateful for the
many I worked with, ministered with, dreamed with, planned with, created with,
prayed with and celebrated with. The gift of community and the Eucharist is
such a source of strength, hope and courage… I take these with me as I begin my
Postulancy year and know that we are united because of these gifts.
As the next chapter begins to open up a bit more I leave you
with these thoughts…
Blessings
Peace in the
journey.
Peace in the
living.Peace in the life given.
Hope in the
discoveries.
Hope in the
experiences.Hope in the gift of life.
Love in the
relationships.
Love in the
sharing.Love in the beautiful life.
Joy in the
path trodden.
Joy in the
growth and building.Joy in the awe of life.
Christ in the
all of each day.
Christ in the
challenges and blessings.
Christ in the
life that is me.
May peace be yours, may hope be rooted in your heart, may
love be your guide, may joy be awakened in you each day and may Christ bless
you all always. God Bless you and Thank you.
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