Ordination and Godly optimism

While my stay here has been a great rich blessing, very fruitful, reconnecting to the Lord and also seeing Christ in the people. I have often wrestled with what at times I term ‘reality’ which awaits for me… the unknown of the future.

Yesterday we were invited to the ordination of four men, it was a joyous occasion, even with the limited english during the celebrations I could seen the delight in been present to witness, to offer support in that moment of joy. The order is an international order, Holy Spirit congregation. At the homily the last part was in english, very limited yet deeply inspiring words. Spoken with great wisdom, the thing to always fall back on is prayer, let the spirit guide you in all things. Remember there will be unknowns, there will be changing communities and the path is uncertain at times, yet have no fear for it is prayer that will carry you. 

I was left feeling like those words were not just for the young brothers yet for everyone. On the night before Jesus was crucified, he helped his disciples as they considered their future and were fearful, distressed and lonely. He said to them, “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:12) Jesus speaks of deep truth that only the heart can transform into reality, journey on a path away from fear into faith. He gives the disciples good news about their future. If we believe we are disciples then surely this good news still needs to ring in my ears today, seep into my soul. 

Congratulations 

The answer in this is not to stop thinking about the future. Rather, overcome fear of the future by remembering our future is in Christ. That night, when confidence was waning, the disciples were troubled by the days to come, Jesus reminded them that he was going to prepare a place for them. (John 14:3) He said that he will give them a Helper, the presence of the Spirit for power and comfort and instructions, to be with them always. (John 14:16) 

“In a short time the world will no longer see me; but you will see me, because I will live and you will live” (John 14:19)

Over the past four or five months I have naturally spent more time dwelling on what I don’t know about my future than what I do. But those words that echo through the church yesterday reminded me of the Lords revealing of glorious truth about our future in Christ. 

What I know about the future needs to shape the way I view that I don’t know. 

Mary Singing

After the ceremony we descended into the basement on the invitation of one of the new ordinated - Sammy - representing his family as they were unable to travel from India; joining in the meal together. We meet our passionist brother there too. These sort of celebrations reminds me of the beauty that religious life offered, while we all hold our own charism, there is unification in going forward. Meeting together to share in formation, mission and more importantly journeying together. While the meal was going on a few performances happen, with the invitation for Mary to sing, she graciously accepted singing “you raise me up” with the words flowing down the spines of each person there, reminding them that we are together on the journey be it hand in hand, standing on each others shoulders. 

Later that evening, reflecting on the day, I was reminded of this quote from Charles Spurgeon book Beside Still Waters. 

We have great demands, but Christ has great supplies. Between here and heaven, we may have greater wants than we have yet known. But all along the journey, every resting place is ready; provisions are laid up, good cheer is stored and nothing has been overlooked. The commissary of the eternal is absolutely perfect. 

When the evening falls like a blanket before us, my heart takes comfort to know as all who follow Christ have every reason to be optimistic about the future. Hope dominates our outlook. We look at everything that could possibly come our way in life and consider ourselves more than conquerors. 

We only need to turn to our nourishment source, scripture, that promotes optimism. Not the secular optimism of positive thinking, or the natural optimism of a laid-back personality, but the godly optimism of Christian hope. True hope endures in the darkness. It is through tears of faith-led lament that we see the beauty of our hope most clearly. Godly optimism is marked by realism and mixed with grief. We know that in this world we will have trouble, but we take heart trusting the one who has overcome the world. Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5) 

St Paul Choir