Word to the Wise
Saturday, October 6, 2007 - Twenty-sixth Saturday in Ordinary Time
[Baruch 4:5-12 and Luke 10:17-24]The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name." Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightening from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power 'to tread upon serpents' and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
I entered religious life in 1964, while the Second Vatican council was still in session. It wasn't long before the impact of the council was felt in the formation process. While previously, our Dominican seminarians (student brothers) stayed at the seminary (studium) or went for the summer to a rustic camp on Lake Michigan, the practice was begun of sending them out for various pastoral experiences. This change was brought about in fear and trembling because the protective process was opened up to allow us to interact with ordinary folks during our training! It may seem strange to the contemporary mind now that the studium was like a cocoon back then and before, but that was the case. Part of the process at the end of the summer was to engage in "theological reflection" on the experience. I can tell you that it was not easy at times to see how the Holy Spirit was acting in some of the situations! Certain experiences, such as Clinical Pastoral Education (a supervised pastoral experience in a hospital, usually) had this reflection built in. Others occurred informally when the brothers got back together. Nevertheless, it could be a powerful experience because wearing the Dominican religious habit around a parish was like wearing a badge. (We also wore roman collars!) People expected us to resolve their problems or hear their confessions (which we couldn't do) etc. etc. I think of this when I read about the seventy-two disciples returning so excited to Jesus to do "theological reflection" after he had sent them out to preach and heal. He has to remind them that the power comes from God and that boasting about that power should be the last thing they do. They should just be glad they were chosen to be sent. I often feel that way when I preach a retreat or receive compliments about my preaching or pastoral service. The power is from God. I am a means for that power - not like a puppet - to reach others. How God accomplishes that despite my many limitations remains a mystery, but I do rejoice at being permitted to do the work. All of us have the opportunity by virtue of our baptism to share the good news. If we engaged in that "theological reflection" with one another more often, I think we would be surprised at the power of God working in so many of us. Give it a try! AMEN
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