A Listening Heart
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17th Sunday of Ordinary Time
A Listening Heart
“Whatever you ask I shall give you.” In this Sunday’s first lesson, we find wisdom from Solomon, as he prudently responds to the Lord’s magnanimous proposal. “Give your servant, therefore, a listening heart to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9). In other words, Solomon asks for wisdom – he desires right judgment in order to discern God’s will. Only a listening heart will allow him to do that.
A listening heart: last week I reflected on discipleship and the inherent response associated with being an apprentice or learner of Jesus: mission. Mission moves us from passive to active, from observer to participant; we are sent by the Risen Lord Jesus to be missionary disciples, those who become the hands, feet, face and voice of Christ in the world.
In the process of living and witnessing to the Gospel as missionary disciples, we are called to conform our hearts and minds more and more to the pattern of Christ. Through prayer, we develop a listening heart, we become obedient to the will of God. In fact, the Latin for “obedience” literally means “to listen”. When we truly open ourselves to hearing God’s voice in the whisper, then we can begin to understand the direction God is leading us, and like the Blessed Virgin Mary, we, too, can offer our “fiat” – let it be done! Let it be done unto me according to thy will.
What is the direction that God is leading us? To be sure, in the spiritual life there is only one direction: and that’s forward. Missionary discipleship necessarily beckons us to go out into the deep (cf. Luke 5:4). In addition, the Lord reminds us that he is always doing something new – do you not perceive it (cf. Isaiah 43:19)? As we walk together in faith, my prayer – and I invite you to join me in your own prayers – is to embrace a listening heart so that we may discern where the Holy Spirit is leading us. A great question to bring to prayer asks where the Holy Spirit is leading St. Francis de Sales Parish in the months to come, in the next year, how about in five years?
With regard to the months to come and the future, I have been listening and learning a lot from members of our esteemed parish community. I have brought feedback and insights to prayer, seeking to discern God’s will. I am happy to share some updates that will transpire in just a short time, with the exception of the first item.
I have consulted with parish staff and I will be convening an ad hoc committee to guide me in implementing and executing our parish church renovation and improvement using funds raised from the parish “Fix-It Campaign”. More information and details will be forthcoming.
Our parish communications coordinator, Katie McGlauchlin, is leading the process of revamping our parish website so that it will be vibrant, possess the latest features and applications as well as be user-friendly. Our launch date is projected for this Advent Season!
Thanks to a donor, we have funds directed towards the beautification of our campus. Over the summer, we will remove weeds and plant some new flowers, adding greenery to our beautiful campus.
Our St. Francis de Sales School Athletic Board has generously donated funds to layer the playground and playlot with tire mulch for the upcoming school year. This new mulch will provide added safety for our school children and raise the surface level to the appropriate height. Principal Mary Keller and I are grateful to the Athletic Board!
Wishing you God’s peace and everything good, I remain –
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Christian Shiu
Administrator