Word to the Wise
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 - Tuesday in the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
[Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13 and Matthew 9:32-38]At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so askthe master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. [Luke]
If these lines seem familiar, you can visit last Sunday's WTTW and see that the Lucan verson of the same lines was part of the scripture for that day. I spoke then about the commission we all have as baptized persons to spread the good news of the kingdom. But I cannot help but reflect, too, on a reality that many in religious life know well - the diminishing numbers of those in this country who are choosing religious life as a way of preaching the gospel Here and there one knows that certain congregations are doing well but the majority are not attracting sufficient recruits to keep up with the loss of membership due to death or other causes. The departures are not as frequent as they were in my time in the seminary, but they still do happen. The aging of the membership means funerals are more frequent. I rejoiced to hear that our brothers in the Eastern Dominican Province are receiving a record number at their novitiate this year, but, being a former Novice Master, I know that the best number is the number of those making final profession of vows! Our Southern Dominican Province is blessed with novices each year but some religious congregations have not received a novice in years! The reasons for the smaller numbers are many - some of them cultural, some theological. We Dominicans know that certain provinces outside the USA are receiving novices and others are on the brink of disappearance! In the United States, Jesus' words about praying for the harvest master to send additional workers carry a special poignance for those of us who entered with large numbers and saw them disappear. I am in my 40th year as a priest (May 22, 1971). I was ordained with three other Dominicans. Two are deceased and one left religious life and the priesthood. Of the eight who made final vows with me on August 16, 1968, there are only two remaining. (I began the novitiate in 1964 with 23 others!) My anniversary celebrations are solo events! Yet, along with my Dominican brothers and sisters, I am confident that our Dominican way of life will survive and God's providence will provide the membership. Please pray with me for that intention and encourage young men and women to consider the Order of Preachers! AMEN
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