Monday, March 30, 2009

Daily Office Reflection: Unrecognized

Psalms: 31 * 35; Jeremiah  24:1-10; Romans 9:19-33; John 9:1-17

A friend of mine from seminary is being ordained a priest tonight at the church that she has been working for the last two years. She was not treated well by her diocese but she has hung in there, quietly working away at what she knows is her calling. Her diocese either did not recognize her gifts and talents or perhaps purposefully chose to delay her for untoward reasons. I lean toward the latter as the things that were said to her indicate clear signs of ageism against this individual who is in her mid-twenties. 

Jesus went unrecognized, ignored, castigated and treated poorly while he fulfilled his mission. In Jesus we find a model, one I think Amanda utilized waiting for the fulfillment of what she knew in her heart and soul is her calling. If we are not true to ourselves, if we get stuck in the rules and regulations, or worse, if we let our own prejudices get in the way, we cannot help create the kingdom Jesus is creating, we cannot recognize how to effectuate that kingdom. We always need to be examining what is driving/motivating us. 

For Those To Be Ordained:
Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, in your divine providence you have appointed various orders in your Church Give your grace, we humbly pray, to all who are now called to any office and ministry for your people; and so fill them with the truth of your doctrine and clothe them with holiness of life, that they may faithfully serve before you, to the glory of your great Name and for the benefit of your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
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Copyright 2009, John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

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