This past Wednesday at Low Mass, I especially needed to hear words from the Letter of James, which was an appointed reading that day:
Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Brothers and sisters, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed, we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about, for the Lord is compassionate and merciful (5:7-11).
James’s words remind me that patience is a virtue in the Christian life. We live in an impatient age, but our life in God must be rooted in patience. God’s time is not our time. At the same time, I think the author of the Letter of James would agree that being a faithful Christian must also assume a sense of urgency. We are ambassadors of the Gospel, and that calling should not be taken lightly. There are times, in fact, when we need to be impatient: when we are confronted with injustice or when a wrong needs righting or calling out. The Christian life is one of balance, requiring patience as God brings fruit from our labor and also demanding our proactive response as we strive to be doers of the word and not merely hearers.
Over the coming months as we labor together in ministry, what things are urgent? In what ways can we act now because we already have what we need to do so? What concrete steps should we take in faithful response to God’s call on our lives? On the other hand, what things will require our patience? This is a time of discernment: of gaining clarity on what we can and are called to do, and of knowing what things we must wait for God to give.
As we navigate this time of transition, waiting for more clarity on when I will move on from Good Shepherd, I hope that concrete steps forward may be of comfort. Might I suggest some of those, which I believe will be important for the strengthening of our parish family in the weeks ahead?
Gathering weekly for worship on the Lord’s Day is the center of our parish life. During times of transition, our unity and grounding in worship is especially significant. Come to Mass in good times and in bad ones to hear God’s Word proclaimed and receive the Sacrament that brings us wholeness and health and binds us to God, one another, and the the company of heaven. When anyone is absent, that person is missed. The vibrancy of Sunday worship will be a necessary rock in the parish’s times of transition. Ultimately, our worship of God will become the only proper response we can make to a recognition of God’s ceaseless love and care for us. The perfection of that response is not fully realized in this life, but as we journey here on earth, we can at least make worship our priority even when it feels like a chore. Although it is bitterly cold outside, the church is warm and the congregation is, too! Allow a bit of extra time to find parking while the snow remains with us.
In what ways can we renew our ministry commitments? How can we be proactive in addressing areas of need in our parish life? Please do ask for help when you need it. We are all in the work of ministry together.
It is the duty of the entire Christian community to care for old and young alike. Even those of us with grown children or no children have a responsibility for the nurture of the children among us. And those who are younger must care for those who are older. If you cannot get to church for good reason, please let me know. It is always a privilege to bring the Sacrament of the Eucharist to you.
Would you prayerfully consider participating in a ministry if you are not already? Would you consider taking another one on if you can? Here’s a form to indicate your interest. We need your help and your gifts! If you are intimidated by the prospect of joining a ministry, please talk to me first. We will work through this together. We are a community. Indeed, we are a family, the family of God.
If you notice that someone is absent from worship for a while, please reach out to them. That is my practice, but I encourage you to do so as well. When one person is missing, we are all the weaker for it.
Please reach out to me with ways that I can be helpful in this time of transition. I am here to pray for and with you and, of course, to help in whatever way I can. But it will require all of us, with God’s help, to realize the fruits of ministry. We are a community, and this parish’s future depends on our joint efforts aided by God’s wondrous grace. I will keep you posted as I know more about my plans for leaving Good Shepherd. I am grateful for your patience with me during this time of uncertainty.
Finally, recall that when Jesus sent the disciples out initially, he sent them out two by two, not alone. We need each other. And if you are feeling despair or hopelessness as you ponder the tragedies of our hurting world, know that the Church is precisely the place where you can belong and offer your gifts to make a difference. Perhaps right now, if we are depressed by world or national news, we should recommit ourselves to the Church. The world needs the Church now more than ever because the world needs the light of Christ. The world and this local community need Good Shepherd. With all of us working together, this corner of Montrose and Lancaster Avenues will be a beacon of light for many generations to come.
Yours in Christ,
Father Kyle