On-the-job Training

July 30: Wednesday of Week 17 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21; Psalm 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18; Matthew 13:44-46

Thoughts to help us surrender to Jesus expressing himself through us in ministry.

“If you repent… If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be my mouthpiece.” Jeremiah 15:19

People are rejecting Jeremiah and his message. He doesn’t understand. He is not living a bad life. He complains to God—who tells him to “Repent!”

Ministry is purifying. Sometimes just to say or do what is good is “worthless.” It takes something “precious” for us to be heard. In our efforts to find it, we purify both our hearts and our ministry; our message and the way we deliver it

Jesus failed to convert people too. They didn’t listen to him until after he had spoken from the cross. Whatever drives us to closer union with him, especially in his suffering, is good for our ministry and good for us.

The great temptation is discouragement. That is why we need to keep reminding ourselves that the very things that discourage us most are probably strengthening our ministry: failure, opposition, criticism, indifference, lack of resources—all of these make us first examine ourselves, then look more deeply into the message and the Lord’s directions for delivering it.

Pope Francis attributed his failures as a young Jesuit superior to authoritarianism and a failure to consult. As pope he is outstanding for personal dialogue and unprecedented commitment to collegiality. He “learned obedience” to the Holy Spirit “through what he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).

PRAY: “Lord, let me hear your voice.”

PRACTICE: Seek advice, change and grow.