News & Notes: Jan. 26, 2010

Dear Parents,

God’s peace!

What does it mean to respond to a call? How do you know that your work is a ministry and not simply a job? How do experiences in sharing our gifts influence others? In the past few weeks I have had the blessing…and the “challenge” of interacting with people in various ways and have found myself reflecting on the experience of these encounters. As I sorted through the experiences of the past weeks I came to realize that the job someone held had little to do with the impact that the person had on me; rather, it was the approach the person chose to take in engaging me that had the greatest influence. Let me share some examples… Earlier this week I found myself standing before a woman whose job it was to answer questions, and direct people to patients’ rooms from the information desk of a hospital. The job seemed obvious, but my encounter with her left me with a sense that this may not be (in her mind) a ministry. I asked for a patient’s name by sharing the last name… as she began to scroll through lists of patients (although it was a relatively small hospital) she informed me that the person I wished to visit was not listed. I asked that she look again, for I was certain that this patient had not been moved. She now (unhappily) looked through a list printed on paper. She stopped at a name, looked up at me with a wry smile and announced that, indeed, he was there…but I had given her the wrong first name. I thanked her…asked how to get to the room…and was on my way.

Throughout the week this experience found its way into my thoughts and reflections. Helping people to find their sick friends and family members would seem to be a ministry, and the focus would seem to be “How might I bless you through my assistance that you might bring comfort to those you visit?” By week’s end I found myself in a small restaurant that was capable of serving only a few customers. A friend of mine ordered at the counter, sat at a small table, and began to share conversation. When our lunch was brought to us it was delivered with a smile and a sincere, “Enjoy!” It seemed obvious to me that the woman took great pride in the presentation of food, the restaurant itself, and her means of service. All of that was conveyed in a single word…”Enjoy.” As we interacted with the woman again through her clearing of the dishes…a request for coffee and our final “thank you” as we left the café, I had a real sense that this woman was ministering to her customers. It wasn’t a job…it was a means of providing for others… for sharing with them nourishment for body and soul.

Perhaps some “jobs” seem easier to realize as ministries than others, but I don’t think that is the case. Each of us has a choice… our job…whether paid or volunteer…is an opportunity to provide for others…to bring delight or frustration…to help or to hinder…to act ethically or to be self serving… The words that Jesus read in the temple and were true of him…are also true of us.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. — Luke 4

The challenge is to recognize what my true motivation needs to be… When I serve is my focus on myself and my needs or the needs of those I serve? When I offer advice is it given to increase my bank account, inflate my importance, lord it over another or is it to enhance their experience of living? Do I give the expedient answer or do I ponder my response in an effort to assist someone in a deeper way?

Whether I deliver pizza or practice law… whether I arrange flowers or clean sewers…whether I answer phones or balance budgets… I can choose to be a minister to others through my demeanor and expressions or I can simply be burdened with a job to be accomplished.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon each of us, and with our unique talents and opportunities we can choose to share the gifts we have been graced to receive or we can simply “get through” each day without thought of helping others on their way.

As we live these next days and weeks…let us pray to be more aware of our impact on the lives of others…Let us pray for the grace to be for others as we encounter each other in our everyday experiences.

A blessed week! “ENJOY!”

In prayer,

Sr. Maureen