Word to the Wise
Friday, October 29, 2010 - Friday in the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
[Philippians 1:1-11 and Luke 14:1-6]I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the Gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right that I should think this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, you who are all partners with me in grace......
In the Spring of 1996, I celebrated my 25th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. On that occasion, for the special celebratory Masses, I had a souvenir card printed with the words quoted above from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians! Of course, I had no idea, then, that I would someday be preaching by way of the internet and find myself speaking to the faithful all over this planet! This coming Spring, it will be 40 years since my ordination, and I am even more aware of the importance of the prayers and encouragement of those who read these words. I simply could not do what I do without you! St. Paul shows this same feeling in the opening words of his Letter to the Philippians, which are the first scripture for today. He writes from imprisonment! (I, however, am presently writing at a monastery for cloistered Dominican nuns!) He knows that his work depends greatly on the generosity and zeal of his listeners, who must themselves spread the Good News. "Partnership" implies a kind of equality in a common task, and it is a concept that I believe is somewhat lacking, at times, in those who exercise authority in the church (whether they be ordained or not!). It does not all depend on ME. It DOES all depend on the Holy Spirit and US! I pray I will never be lacking in my gratitude for my "partners" who share these words with others and pray for my efforts. AMEN
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