As many of you know, 36 priests of the Diocese of Springfield – Cape Girardeau were on retreat the week of June 3-7, at Mercy Center, St. Louis MO. There, we had daily Mass, morning, daytime and evening prayer, along with daily conferences, and plenty of time for reflection, meditation, and important fellowship. The food is very good at the Mercy Center and the Mercy Sisters are very hospitable. The Retreat Director, Fr. Larry Richards was loud and boisterous and there was little possibility of falling asleep during his presentations! At every conference, I found a takeaway to consider. I’d like to share those with you.
The overall theme of the retreat was “Priests as Disciples.” In the first conference, focused on the first chapter of the Gospel of St. Mark, at the Baptism of Jesus, with the voice of God proclaiming, “You are my Beloved Son.” Fr. Richards reminded us that if we are going to be disciples, on the front lines of witness, then we must understand that we, too, are beloved. These days, in many retreats and conference programs, they talk about being a “beloved son of the father.” And I think it is a good challenge for priests, because if we do not understand that we are a beloved son, then how can we credibly preach to our people that they are beloved sons and daughters of God as well?
Priest Disciples rely on the Holy Spirit
We rely on the Holy Spirit for preaching, for teaching, and to simply be loving men. Quoting from St. Paul to Timothy we are called to “stir up the Holy Spirit,” because we cannot do the work of a disciple on our own, especially the call to love. The second conference was challenging, “Do I love those who hate me?” Now you might think, who hates the Bishop? And to that, I would say, “Are you kidding me!” But, by the power of the Holy Spirit, I am called to love others, particularly those who hate me. This made for a very fruitful, while challenging reflection.
Priest Disciples receive and give mercy
As one baptized, we must receive mercy because we are called to repent for there are times that I do not want to do God’s will. In a rather humorous way, Fr. Richards reminded us that in hell, they constantly sing the song, “I Did it My Way.” And the reality is that God knows me: he knows my sins and still loves me as a priest and bishop, but he always calls me to repentance, to receive mercy so that I may also dispense mercy. The takeaway from that conference: Is there anyone that I have not forgiven?
Priest Disciples are called to love
It’s easy to instruct, to dole out rules and regulations, but the call to love is the greater challenge. Disciples are called to love God and the neighbor. And so, what would I ask from Jesus? Help me to love. When people look at me do they see the Father? In Matthew 25, we are given the study guide for the final exam on how to be saved: I was hungry and you gave me food, thirsty and you gave me drink, etc. In the end, we will be judged by love because that is the deepest need of the human heart.
Priest Disciples make disciples
Father Richards reminded us that God has given us full authority to go and make disciples, to be fishers of men. Good fishermen go where there are fish. Thus, Priest Disciples go to where the people are to make disciples. And then Fr. Richards posed an interesting question, “If your parish closed, would the community notice? Are we evangelizing; are we reaching out to people to invite them to encounter Jesus in our parishes; are we making a difference? And further, as priests and pastors, do we pray and fast for our people? Do we love them where they are and do we witness to them what Jesus has done for us in our own lives? That’s a good start in making disciples.
So, these are the “takeaways” for me from the recent retreat. And I’ve looked over my notes in the months since, I continue to be challenged with this impactful lens through which to view my ministry. Considering at the opening conference, I told the priests it was the last place I wanted to be because I had so much to do before I left on a vacation, I also came to realize that God decided that the retreat was the best place for me to be, and he was right! I learned a great deal from this experience. Please pray for our Priest Disciples.
“O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine.”
Published in the August 02, 2024 issue of The Mirror.
Photo Credit: Jay Nies for The Mirror