Word to the Wise
Monday, August 23, 2010 - St. Rose of Lima, O.P., virgin
[2 Thessalonians 1:5, 11-12 and Matthew 23:13-22]We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.
The longer I am in itinerant preaching ministry, the more I begin to identify with St. Paul! I don't mean that I have to put up with the severe trials that he went through, thank the Lord! (There IS an "asceticism of the road" but at least I'm not usually in danger of being stoned!) But I do see several aspects of his ministry in the challenges that I meet. To begin with, he tries to affirm and encourage the communities that he has founded or where he has preached. Affirmation is an important feature of itinerant preaching because the visiting preacher is often the one the parishioners (and sometimes the pastors) speak to about their concerns. Another feature is challenge! I know especially at parish missions and retreats that some of the things I present will touch listeners in sensitive or troublesome spots. There are some patterns of life that are destructive and have to be confronted in constructive ways. Itinerant ministry also means that "follow up" can be difficult. St. Paul's letters took a long time to get to his readers! He worried about what would happen to his "churches" that were the result of his missionary journeys. My concerns in that regard are not huge since I do go to established parishes, but I do wonder at times how some of the situations I hear about have been resolved. Some of the sorrows and joys that I hear about in the lives of retreatants are really moving and I wonder at times how particular individuals are doing. Occasionally I do hear from someone to let me know how a given challenge was met. What I identify with is St. Paul's prayer for all those folks and I can assure my listeners that I do pray for them. Last, but not least, I know my own need for the prayers of those whom I serve in the parish missions and retreats. I could not do this ministry without their encouragement and affirmation AND challenge, as well. AMEN
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