Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, priest
Have you even needed to leave a project behind before it felt ‘finished?’ One of the realities of being mortal and finite human beings is that we do not always control when we have to leave a job or a volunteer position, or even our life here on Earth. Perhaps it seems too soon when your child is headed off to her first day of school, or away to college. Maybe you need to move before you finished all the projects you had in mind for your house. Sometimes, we just have to go.
In today’s first reading, Paul has to go. He knows he’ll never be back. When he says goodbye, he tells them he will never see them again. He knows that the next step in life is not fun: only imprisonment and hardships await. But Paul is not troubled. Why not? We see at least two big reasons. First, Paul says “I consider my life of no importance, if only I may finish my course and the ministry…” Like us, he wants to make sure he finishes; but it’s not what he set out to do. His ministry is what God gave him to do. Paul wants only to be faithful to Christ. Second, he knows that he has shared with the Church “the entire plan of God.” He has nothing else to say or to teach, other than to nurture and guide the Church. They know everything about the Lord that Paul knows.
This unity of knowledge is proclaimed in today’s Gospel. Jesus and the Father are one. Everything that the father knows, Jesus knows. As Jesus did, so Paul and you and I must do. We cannot be shy about the wonderful plan God has for us all! Let us spread the good news today! There are people in your life that need the encouragement of Christ’s love. Some are Christian and Catholic already; others are just beginning that journey. Pray for the Spirit, and then share a little bit of God’s plan. You won’t regret it!
- Chris Nieport