RBWords - Volume 27 - Number 3: March 2014
Something to Think About
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT –
As I write this, I am in Houston in between parish missions #’s 3 and 4. As part of my promsed “cutback,” I accepted only four missions instead of the usual five or six of past years! Beginning the first weekend in Lent, I have preached in Reserve, LA, Waveland, MS, West Palm Beach, FL, and finally in Carthage, TX, this next weekend. The latter mission will be especially challenging because it will involve parallel services in English and Spanish! Your prayers will be appreciated!
One of the benefits of this kind of ministry is that I get to experience a large cross section of parish life, mostly in the Deep South, although I have preached missions in California in the past. The interesting thing, for me, is to see how diverse and yet how much the same parish life can be. I also learn about the various dioceses and the state of the priesthood and permanent diaconate in the different areas. This is valuable to me in my retreat preaching, which is my other major preaching ministry. These retreats are often the source of the invitations to preach the missions. In the case of the first two missions this year, I had preached in parishes that the pastor had been stationed before, so the invitations were “repeaters.” The third mission came about as a result of a retreat I preached for Permanent Deacons of the West Palm Beach, FL, diocese. The fourth mission was the result of encountering the pastor at a retreat house in a diocese outside the one he works in! Once in awhile, a pastor who has read my daily online preaching will invite me. This was the case in three parish missions in California! Dominican sisters whom I know and who work in parishes have also played a role in invitations. Until last Spring, I used to write to pastors in various dioceses to present myself to them, but I decided as part of my “cut back” that I would just see what happens without that effort, and I have not been disappointed.
Although the travel can take a toll on energy, if I am driving, I can stop and visit friends along the way – a blessed “perk of the work!” I also have a lot of “small world” experiences because I mention my Louisiana origins or because I live in Houston! My Dominican brothers here at Holy Rosary Priory, whom I have the privilege of serving as their “Prior,” are very supportive of my ministry and tolerant of my absences during the “busy” seasons of Advent and Lent. I am very grateful for them. And I am very grateful for all your prayers as I continue to “spread the Word” as an itinerant preacher. You are my “partners in preaching!” IT’S SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!
It Has Been Said
The central feature of the new life of disciples can be found in Jesus’ vision of the mercy, love, and forgiveness of God. This love also has to govern the relationships that Christians have with one another. They cannot judge or condemn others. They must be looking for ways in which they can show what love, mercy, and forgiveness mean in their lives by extending them to others. And they must also be willing to seek out persons who are not part of their own group of pious or righteous people They must be willing to help the poor and suffering. They must go even further and seek the “lost sheep,” people who are so marginal to society and to religion that they would not even think of approaching God or a church.
From READING THE NEW TESTAMENT - An Introduction
By Pheme Perkins