I have been reflecting on what fulfills me. \u00a0What is it that motivates me in what I do? \u00a0Ultimately, I am trying to fulfill God’s will for me. \u00a0Initially one might think it should be easy to do God’s will. \u00a0Yet, it can be challenge. \u00a0The first thing to work on is discerning what it is that God wants us to do. \u00a0Then one needs to figure how to go about doing it.<\/p>\n
In thinking about what I am supposed to be doing, I ask myself what makes me feel fulfilled. \u00a0This leads me to think about “accomplishments” versus “meaning.”<\/p>\n
When I worked as an engineer, it was easy to know when a task was complete. \u00a0The job was not done until the bridge was fully complete and cars were able to drive over it safer. \u00a0(In reality it is more complicated than that but for the engineer it was clear when the job was done.) \u00a0Some of the tasks I did as an engineer might take a few hours. \u00a0Replacing a bridge spanned several months. \u00a0Regardless of how long it took, it was easy to see what was accomplished.<\/p>\n
I find it is not so easy to define what is accomplished in ministry. \u00a0I know when a baptism is completed. \u00a0I know when Mass is over. \u00a0I know when I am done with confessions. \u00a0But there is always more. \u00a0Some things are a little harder to measure. \u00a0I know when I visit the hospital and how many people I see but there is no end to that. \u00a0I know when I have finished giving a presentation but as soon as I finish one I am often already beginning to give some thought to the next one.<\/p>\n
There are “accomplishments” in ministry but the ultimate accomplishment of ministry is leading people to Jesus and that is hard to measure.<\/p>\n
What brought me back to Church and what I seek in life is “meaning.” \u00a0After years of not going to church, I started to realize something was missing in my life. \u00a0God helped me realize that what I needed was to improve my relationship with him. \u00a0Through my return to Church and my studies I have found a deeper relationship with Jesus. \u00a0I have been ordained for almost ten years and I still continue to work on my own relationship with Jesus. \u00a0This means that I continue to read and look for other opportunities to learn so as to deeper my own relationship with Jesus.<\/p>\n
Working in ministry, I have found that helping others deeper their relationship with Jesus actually helps me too. \u00a0The part of my ministry where this is most evident is in the presentations I do. \u00a0For many of the presentations I do the material covered is either based on some book(s) I have read recently or I actually do some research to address a topic of interest to people. \u00a0In that preparation I learn more myself. \u00a0I also find some grace in offering what I know to the people to help them know more about their faith.<\/p>\n
I also try to celebrate the sacraments in a while that shows meaning. \u00a0Baptism is not simply a task but it is a life changing moment. \u00a0The Sacrament of Reconciliation is not simply a mechanical process of listing one’s sins, doing a penance, and being absolved. \u00a0This Sacrament helps us receive God’s mercy and to explore what grace we need to do better. \u00a0Celebrating Mass is not simply so we can say we fulfilling our obligation to go to church. \u00a0I try to celebrate Mass in a way that shows God offers us something very profound in hearing his Word from the Bible and what we celebrate in the sacrifice of the Eucharist. \u00a0My point being, celebrating the sacraments is much more for me than accomplishing a task. \u00a0I truly believe the Sacraments go much deeper and I try to celebrate the Sacraments in a way that makes that clear.<\/p>\n
I admit that I enjoy seeing some things finished. \u00a0However, what matters most is finding meaning and helping others to do the same. \u00a0It is hard for me to know when I am doing this. \u00a0Please pray that I always serve God how, where, and when He wants.<\/p>\n
Peace,<\/p>\n
Fr. Jeff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I have been reflecting on what fulfills me. \u00a0What is it that motivates me in what I do? \u00a0Ultimately, I am trying to fulfill God’s will for me. \u00a0Initially one might think it should be easy to do God’s will. \u00a0Yet, it can be challenge. \u00a0The first thing to work on is discerning what it …<\/p>\n