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Letter from Fr. Jeff Johnston
Dear Friends,
The wisdom – and need – of the moment rightly advises us to “Proceed with caution,” to “hunker down,” and to (still) “tighten our circles.” And then we come to church! It seems as far back as Moses, there were lists… who was approved and acceptable, and who wasn’t. Fortunately, Moses wasn’t of that mind, and rejoiced that Eldad and Medad were “prophesying in the camp.” His response? “Would that ALL the people were prophets… that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all.” Careful what you wish for, Moses!
On the day that we were baptized, we were also anointed. For many, the words were spoken in Latin, and perhaps no one knew just what was being said. With the current Rite of Baptism, it is perfectly clear. “Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has freed you from sin, given you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and joined you to his people. He now anoints you with the Chrism of salvation, so that you may remain as a member of Christ, Priest, Prophet and King, unto eternal life.” So there it is! Each and every one of us has fulfilled the longing of Moses, we all share the role of the prophet.
There remains but one question. How will YOU fulfill your role? Of this much we can be certain. The same spirit who filled Eldad and Medad so long ago… who filled and inspired each prophet who proclaimed – in word and deed – the good news of salvation to us, will fill, inspire and protect us, as we seek perhaps new and different ways of proclaiming the ancient message, which can be as simple as giving someone a cup of water.
With eyes and minds and hearts wide open, with hands and feet ready and willing to assume the noble and sacred (and sublimely simple) task that has been entrusted to us, may we brighten our world – at least our little corner of it – with the light of Christ which has been poured into us… not with a cup of water, but by the grace of our Baptism.
How exciting to wait and see how the Spirit will inspire us! Go ahead… make Moses’ day!
Fr. Jeff