Ordinary Time, 19th Sunday (A) Today I get to introduce myself to my new parishes. It's always hard to make a transition to a new assignment. It is particularly hard for me after 10 years in the same place. I know it's a challenge for you to have your last pastor leave after just 2 years. On top of the normal challenges, the covid situation has made everything difficult and stressful and weird.

Covid caused us a cancel all kinds of activities. Perhaps in the midst of the slowdown, you heard that still small voice. It's not so much a voice as a Presence. The great silence of the universe is the quiet presence of God. You knew that God was there with you and things would be OK.

I knew it was Jesus calling me to come to Antigo. I told him it would be hard to move and he said, "Come." And lo and behold everything worked out -- I had help to pack, move, unpack, and hang pictures (thanks Mom and Dad :-). I had sailed into a storm, and yet I had peace.

Then Monday I had a little meltdown and a bigger one Wednesday. By Wednesday afternoon I was feeling frustration. I was starting to sink into the waves. That's when I remember the Surrender Novena. When you face the chaos of the world around you, enter into the peace and silence of God's love for you. Perhaps you will hear that still small voice whispering to you: "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid."

(9 Aug 2020)

Going Deeper: Do you think I'm just crazy, or have you had a similar experience of God's quite presence in your life? Tell me about it.