Knock, Seek, Ask

Each time I am with my junior high students, I try to leave them with a little insight into stewardship, the mission of the Church, and being part of the Church.  I figure that if I suggest one aspect of ministry every week, that in the years to come they may want to serve in the Church.  To be sure not just pushing cups of coffee across the counter at Fellowship Sunday, but acting in a way that might enlighten or comfort others.  That is my hope for the years to come.

The prophet Malachi today is certainly frustrated.  Speaking for God he asks how people can be confused or unknowing the way of God, after has been so evident in their lives.  Like a parent who stands in a child's dirty room God asks the question, how can you say 'what mess?'  For the Prophet Malachi simply denying brokenness, injustice, oppression, and violence, is an abomination to God.  We are stewards of creation and are given a garden to nurture and nourish so that it might bring about growth and fruit for the Lord.

I like using the gross image of mulling over navel lint.  I always imagine a person that is so tucked up into themselves that they are literally staring at their navels.  In such a posture we miss all of the good things that are around us, and are unaware of the needs and concerns of our brothers and sisters.    Like the prophets, early Christians, and all holy men and women, we have to be able and willing to take a risk in our faith lives.  We cannot be afraid to pronounce what we believe in.

Part of that is the action of seeking, asking, and knocking.  Both in the Vatican II documents on the laity in the Church today, and many years later the catechetical document, Sharing the Light of Faith, Men and women are encouraged to an ongoing study of scripture and teachings of the Church, and putting into practice the teachings they have received.

When I had done CPE, or Clinical Pastoral Education, we students were encouraged to think about peoples illness in a theological manner.  Our conversions with patients was informed by their sickness and needs, and what sort of theological needs and concerns they might have.  Whether the patient had fear or was worried about their child, we as ministers were to pull out of our toolbox an appropriate response that could really help them.

To do this takes an ongoing study of theology and being able to identify the needs and concerns to the community or individuals in the community.  Most importantly we can identify and recognize that their is a need of healing in the world today.  The human family has a lot of brokenness and people of faith are to respond accordingly.

Hopefully the Holy Spirit can continue to encourage us to draw deeply from the springs of living waters, and be so inspired so as to seek Christ Jesus in all things.