Weekly Readings Reflections: Pentecost Sunday

Our readings for Pentecost Sunday of Easter are:

Ecumenism seeks to foster unity among Christians. To most folks, that sounds like an unabashedly good goal. But to some, the compromises brokered along the way to unity are too costly, feeling like a theological sell out.
What should be the source/font of unity among Christians?
Why bother with our differences in the first place? If we can coexist peaceably, who cares what those "other guys" think?
What do you think that God wants most for all of the various Christian denominations.

One theme in Ignatian spirituality is that creation is still ongoing, and that God invites us daily into the process of creation as we follow Him, one decision at a time. In a very real way, we join our work with God's and we enter into God as God enters into us.
When are you the most creative? Is it maybe when you're giving counsel to a friend, making some piece of artwork, drafting some bold proposal for a new ministry, designing a building, ...
How did you find yourself doing such work?
Do you get paid for that?
Should you?

What is the best way to recruit people into ministry?
How do you tell if they made a bad selection of how they are going to serve?
How do you tell them that they may have taken a wrong turn in a particular ministry?
Do you think that there might be some room for a "spiritual aptitude test?"
Have you ever thought about preparing your "spiritual resume?"

One way to tell if you're in the right place at the right time doing the right thing is whether that service that you're performing fills you with peace. You might be utterly exhausted at the end of the day, and yet be full of joy.
Have you ever been in a ministry/service in which you were not at peace?
How did you get into that position in the first place?
Do you think that it was God's will that you were there?
How did you discern what to do then?

Wax On Wax Off

It's hard to tell sometimes what possible use God can make of our experiences.

Those dark, dreary days when nothing seems to go right.

When no one seems to notice how hard you work.

When the only thing keeping you going is faithfulness.

But resurrection tells us that good can come of those days.

That strength, fortitude, patience, humility forged thus -

Will stand the test of time, if we are willing to receive God's transforming grace.

And that God can use our past to make us ready for anything.

Lord, help me trust Your Presence always.

Let me never take your hand upon my shoulder for granted.

Let me always be grateful for your guidance.

Even when I cannot tell where we are going.

I no longer ask for lightening clarity.

No cosmic reason for doubt, pain, or loneliness.

I ask for just three things of you:

Trust, humility, and the courage to seek You above all else.

Shalom!

Weekly Readings Reflections