Patience, Participation, and Prayer

Dear Friend,

Peace and all good be yours!

Last week a cashier at a local shop commented to me that he was ready for fall to be here - preferably immediately. Clearly, the current weather patterns - heat and humidity that particular afternoon - were not to his liking.

Our scriptures for this weekend point to a change of season as well. Mark’s Gospel, along with the prophet Isaiah, demonstrate in word and action what we might call the great cosmic change of season, wherein the desert - with all that word implies about exile and desolation - becomes a place where streams “burst forth.” Jesus moves into Gentile territory with the gift of new life and healing for a man burdened by a speech impediment who is also unable to hear. 

In her introductory words to the parish last weekend, our parish’s new Director of Faith Formation, Donna Rubio, asked us all for three things during this time of her transition:  patience, participation, and prayer. To my mind, these gifts may well be the top requirements of any person or any community who desires to fully embrace the great shift toward life and love inaugurated by Jesus Christ.  

My friendly cashier certainly needed patience, but don’t we all, especially when things aren’t happening as quickly as we would like? As for participation, we see a great example of it in the Gospel as the man Jesus heals doesn’t come on his own but is brought to Jesus by people who see the energy of the new season and actively engage with it. Jesus’s prayer over the man is one we would all do well to pray for ourselves as change begins: Be opened! Thank you, Donna, for your timely arrival and your timely request!

Gratefully,

Fr. Dan ofm