Ministry
Fr. Chris, October 28, 2009

     At a meeting we had the other night, there was a discussion about ministry. The point was being made that St. George, like any church, should be putting its efforts, resources, time and money behind the ministries, not other things that zap our energy and wear us out.
     As a priest, the point was well-taken. I could not agree more. Jesus Christ, when He established His Church, made it very clear that the people of God are to minister to other people. Everyone is to minister to everyone. Of course, certain ones were appointed as leaders, the Apostles, but everyone who is called (and we are ALL called) is also expected to answer in some way.
     Having been to Holy Cross recently, I saw and learned some things that really made me happy. First of all, the incoming class this year had 49 students. There are so many students at our School now that space is a real issue. Just to compare, my class in 1994 had only 10 students. More importantly, the quality of the students is impeccable. Most have already read the Fathers, the Scriptures, and they know their faith very well beforehand. Some were ministers in other denominations while others simply answered the call later in life, after they were married and had children.
     The reason I say all this is because the supply of priests is becoming less and less of an issue in our Church. Most churches have priests now. However, the supply of people in the pews is lacking. That is especially true at St. George. My generation and those younger than me do not believe in going to Church. Many of your children simply do not come. Everything else takes precedence. Like the men who bought a farm and cattle and a business and simply could not answer Jesus when He called, we are now choosing sports and games over Jesus! My question is: what is He going to think of that?
     Dear parishioners, if Jesus is rebuking the men for choosing their livelihood over being with Him, imagine what He will think of us for putting a game before Him.
     In the end, the only way for a Church to progress is for its people to love God, to feel welcome in His House, and to desire to serve Him through His Church. This is your charge and mine: put yourself aside and the instant gratification that leads you to cast God aside. Reject, instead, the pressure of society and friends. Pay no attention to what the others are doing, but do what is right for you and your family.
     These are tough choices to make for sure but God expects more of you than you are giving. Ministry requires teachers and students, leaders and followers, so that one day the followers may become the leaders of tomorrow.