January 13, 2012
Commentary
Reflection on change: Jesus, we trust in you!
By ZOE CANNON (Sacred Heart Church, Vincennes)
Throughout the course of our lives we experience many endings and many beginnings. Each change is made easier with trust in God. “I believe.” To say these words we must understand they require action.
The worst sorrows in life are not in its losses and transitions, but in its fears. The trials and challenges are not enemies of faith but are opportunities to prove God’s faithfulness. And oh, there will be trials; Christianity is not a dream but a battle. If we are doing the will of God there is no time for disputing his plans for us. The great prophet Jeremiah tells us: “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give hope and a future.”
As an adult Catholic, I have learned so much about the Church, my faith and what it is that we do as faithful members of this awesome universal church. It didn’t happen over-night, and I am still a student on a journey to understand these mysteries. I have learned from books, mainly, Holy Scripture and Catholicism for Dummies. I have attentively learned from every priest who has ever delivered a homily or ministered the Sacraments to my family members. Embracing the different gifts God has given to all people has made a very nice syllabus for my learning as well. Formation and knowledge of the faith are essential if we are to practice honorably. Much like our careers and jobs, our faith life requires our own nurturing with education and practice to help us be proficient.
In January of 2008, my home parish welcomed a young first time pastor named Father Jason Gries. In four years we have learned, laughed and grown leaps and bounds in the faith. His gifts brought a renewed spirit into the parish community. On Feb. 1, he will become the pastor of St. John Church in Daylight. It is an emotional time for our parish because we have enjoyed these fruitful years. We have been blessed. The best gift we can return to Father Jason is to continue being the welcoming and loving parish he helped us become. Father David Martin will be joining us as an associate pastor. Father Dave Fleck will act as administrating pastor. His leadership and guidance have kept us vibrant before during a time of transition. I trust there is very good reason for this change and I am so grateful we have a priest coming to administer the sacraments to us.
It has taken time, but I have gained a better appreciation of the words obedience and auth-ority, especially in the Church. Even the early followers of Jesus were amazed at the new teaching of authority: “He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that this authority is given. I find this belief liberating and a great comfort as I trust in the Lord. I believe our new Bishop Charles [C. Thompson] is a man of deep faith and his leadership will always provide prudent decisions made with a discerning spirit, obedient to a loving God.
The most important gift Father Jason has given to me is an understanding of the “Real Presence” in the Eucharist — the greatest mystery, but the greatest source of all that we believe as Catholics. If we understand this is why we come to the Lord’s table every time we attend Mass, it will not matter who is present. We come for Jesus. We are blessed with the beautiful Grace of God that will sustain us through all the transitions in our life, providing opportunity to prove his faithfulness. Please pray in thanksgiving for Bishop Thompson, Father Jason Gries, Father David Martin and Father Dave Fleck, and for all their brother priests for their obedience and service to his Holy Catholic Church. They are making the real sacrifices for the greater glory of God. This grace will always amaze me. There is great hope in our future, says the Lord. Amen!