Don't Change for the Sake of Changing

Praise the Lord! We all know that the only constant in life seems to be change. We tell God our plans and He laughs at us. The trick is to laugh with HIM, however, and not try to be laughed at! Ministry should reflect the changes and flexibility of our own lives. If not, church becomes nothing but the “gray-pragmatism” that Benedict XVI warns us against. We do everything for the sake of doing it and never ask the deeper meaning of why we are doing it! Its like all those college students running around typing up papers and reading crazy books that having nothing to do with the movement of God's love. They shuffle from one class to the next, one miserable test to another, not knowing why they are even doing it!

Priesthood can be the same. Unfortunately, many priests find themselves in this dull and lifeless ministerial situation. One council meeting to another or dare I say one Mass to another in a row of four for one Sunday. Returning to the rectory exhausted and alone with no real community for support. What's up with that! Is that what God calls His Church to? NO! He calls us to life and life demands change. In Mission of the Redeemer, we read that it is not an option for a priest to visit a missionary country once-in-a-while. Change is a shot in the arm. Different experiences and encounters are life-giving. Fear holds us to these miffed-models of mediocrity.

As such, it is important to HEAR God. It is important to let HIS name roll off our lips and realize the immutable God is the ultimate master of flex-time. He moves! The Missionary Internship isn't moving, but it is changing this year. We will have only one segment of the Apostolate up and running. It will be the four men and myself. However, our primary apostolate will not be talks talks and more talks. We will be moving. Moving up north five days a week to work on Saint Joseph Formation Center on a GRAND remodel project. In the meantime, we will be heading up weekend expeditions. So if you are having difficulty reaching us it is because we've changed a bit in order to respond to the imperative of the Holy Spirit. WE gotta listen to HIM!

The women's side of things looks much different. They are entering their own community life that is separate and distinct from the Missionary Internship. Although they will help with expeditions at times, they are very engaged in a strict daily routine that has ramped up their formation in a profound way to create a separate identity and support to Catholic Youth Expeditions. We wish them our prayers and support. Please pray for them.

So change enlivens us and in the end, it's purpose is to fulfill the mission and respond to the mission of Jesus Christ in a more effective way as to win souls for HIM. This leadership, I pray will turn our focus ever-new on the epidemic of the young person's plight within the culture of death. Let us bring a culture of life into the world by the WORD who's voice changes hearts. The most important heart to be changed is our own so let us be open. Now & Forever!