‘BESIDE RESTFUL WATERS HE LEADS ME’

Fr. Howe has officially launched into his sabbatical, and I have taken my position at the helm. The first days have been joyful…and quite a whirlwind. I think one of God's lessons for me in this season will be carving out time to take the rest we all need, and not trying to blow past my own capacity. I may adopt Pope St John XXIII's humorous line at the end of the day: "It's your church, Lord. I'm going to bed."

These thoughts harmonize with a homily I heard from Fr Howe this Christmas, which may have been prophetic. He suggested that while he is away on sabbatical, a time set aside for refreshment, prayer, and study, perhaps the parish too is invited to a similar season of refreshment and refocus. Perhaps the grace coming to the pastor in these months will overflow to all of us.

Are your spirits depleted? Do you feel weary in heart, mind, body, or soul? For many of us, these have been trying months and years we have been living. Perhaps in the next 6 months we can lean in together, seeking a new measure of refreshment, not outside of our current realities, but right in the midst of it all. What might that look like for you?

Would it entail a courageous look at the calendar to cut out some unnecessary commitments or activities that tend to drain your energy and rob you of joy?

Could it mean asking some deeper questions such as: "What do I really feel called to do?" "What truly rejuvenates my spirit and brings light to others?" "Am I creating time for my most important relationships, with God and others?" "Have my daily routines placed productivity above people?"

There is always plenty to attend to. Yet perhaps this season can be a time of joyful renewal, seeking more refreshment in our day-to-day living. Afterall, the Lord is not a slavedriver, He is a good Father who loves us. He challenges us to use our freedom, as we are able, to seek true rest of heart amidst our many challenges, concerns, commitments, and responsibilities.

Do you believe this is possible? I confess at times my faith in this wavers, and I join that fervent cry of the apostles: "Lord, increase [my] faith!" (Luke 17:5)

All in all, I am getting my bearings for the next 6 months and am eager for the blessings the Lord will offer. There will be challenges, and even now our city and nation needs our prayers and commitment for unity, mercy, and for compassionate justice.

Please join me in prayer for Fr Howe, for a blessed and refreshing Sabbatical. With him, will you join me in courageously exploring new routines to make more room for God's refreshment, right in the midst of it all? There is so much in store for each one of us.

Lead on, Lord!

~Fr Rumpza