Week 284

Positive post Sunday, July 31, 2022- Week 284.

I don’t think anyone would disagree that we live in a world of constant change. On June 19th (PPS week 278), I wrote about a significant change at our church, the departure of one of our pastors at Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Fr. Gino Galley. We were blessed to have Fr. Gino at our parish for 3 years. He is a passionate man of God with many talents, and we are all missing his spirited and insightful homilies.

As one of my favorite Authors John Maxwell has said, “Change is inevitable, Growth is optional.” Translated – when we face change in our lives, we decide if, and how, we will grow from the experience. When Fr. Gino left, I was faced with an option, I could sulk and envy the students at UC Riverside who will now benefit from the wisdom, knowledge and energy of Fr. Gino, or I could keep an open mind and see how I can grow from this loss.

I chose to grow, and pray, and the Lord delivered. We recently welcomed Fr. Arinze Ezeoke, a newly ordained priest from Igbo ethnic group (East of Nigeria) to our parish. Coincidently, or maybe not, Arinze is translated to, “If not for God.” This reminded me that, if not for God, I would simply not exist.

My family and I were blessed to attend one of Fr. Arinze’s first Masses at our parish last Saturday. I found his homily to be quite thought provoking. His theme was about making time for Jesus and how busyness may not be a virtue. He noted how many of us live very busy lives, some of us becoming workaholics. He really made me pause and think about how busy my life is and if I am making the choices that allow me to live the life God intended for me. We talk about work life balance, what about faith life balance? Perhaps it is not about balance but about how we integrate our faith and prayer into our daily lives.

Here is a short article from Lynette Kittle: https://ungrind.org/5-ways-incorporate-prayer-everyday-life/ I particularly like 4. Make the Most of the Present: Go ahead and email or post on Facebook when someone asks for prayer. Take a few minutes for a thoughtful response to requests for prayer, trusting God to minister through your words.

I believe God is ministering through my words when I write my PPS each week. I open my heart and mind during my busy life each week, and I pray to the Lord for guidance. I am humbled by how masterfully the Lord offers us abundant opportunities to strengthen our faith through service to others throughout each day. I’m hopeful more of his disciples recognize those opportunities, and I pray they act on them as Jesus would.

How do you grow and learn from the change you experience in your life?

How do you make time for Jesus in your busy life?