Times of transition are bitter-sweet moments and change is stressful for many people.
Each summer, many dioceses and parishes wait anxiously as priests are assigned and reassigned.
Times of transition often makes us examine our faith and gratitude … and our reason for hope. In today’s readings, St. Paul and Jesus teach us how to understand and faithfully live these moments.
St. Paul and Jesus acknowledge the need to protect our faith in God because the forces of evil in the world can use moments of change to discourage or lead us astray. Both parishioners and priests can draw strength from this.
Are you one of those people who welcome change or are fearful of it? What about the members of your family? Think of an example of transition from your own life experiences. How did you cope? Are you typically trusting and hopeful, or doubting and pessimistic?
Please join me in praying with your family for the priests and all the faithful who will be living the next chapter of their faith journey in a way like St. Paul did in following the example of Jesus.
May God bless you and your family this holy day!
For additional reading: Paul’s Farewell Speech at Miletus, Acts 20:28-38 and The Prayer of Jesus, John 17:11B-19.
