RBWords

     Jordan of Saxony (1190-1237) was a remarkable man who had been in the Dominican Order less than 5 years before he was elected to succeed St. Dominic in 1222!  He remained in office till 1237 when he died in a shipwreck after visiting houses of the order in the Holy Land.  The celebration of his feast at this time is important to me because I have just been elected the "Prior" [local superior] of the priory where I am currently resident!  I am praying for the wisdom of which the Letter of James speaks!  Clearly, from all accounts, Jordan had this in abundance.

     I have been a "prior" twice before, but in circumstances rather different from the community I now lead.  It is never an easy task because no matter how much one delegates (and I plan to delegate a lot!), the buck stops at my desk.  I will have the assistance of a "subprior" and "syndic" [treasurer] along with a "council" to advise me.  Yet, there are such things as representing the priory at certain types of events, etc.  I do plan to continue my itinerant preaching, and,  of course, this daily online preaching, but my travel may have to be curtailed a bit in the long run.  The term of office is three years.  Please pray for me.

     I have always prayed for wisdom.  All of us know that when no answer seems to be complete, we look for a way forward that is wise and just, even if the way may be crooked and bumpy.  Faith in the Spirit of Wisdom is crucial in the kind of service required by a local prior.  It might be an interesting question to ask oneself about how one experiences the need for wisdom in one's life:  parents for children, children for parents, civic leadership, religious leadership, personal challenges.  All of these may require us to ask God for wisdom.  As the Letter of James assures us, God gives it to "all generously and ungrudgingly."  AMEN