We hear Paul say goodbye to the community of Ephesus today, where he spent approximately 2 to 3 years preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul at first encountered great enthusiasm from the Jews there as he preached to them in their synagogue, but later, when opposition arose, he moved to the public hall where his message was heard by many. Paul now makes preparations to go to Jerusalem, even though he know that he may face violence or arrest when he goes there.
It is difficult saying goodbye sometimes, isn’t it? We who are involved in ministry do not know when we are going to be called to a different place or a different type of ministry altogether. Joseph Le is in the midst of saying goodbye to us here in Tupelo, getting ready to start his priestly ministry in the parish of St Jude in Pearl in Rankin County, Mississippi. I have been a priest only 8 years, not a long time in the scheme of things, and already, in the first 5 years of my ministry, I said goodbye to two different parishes already. Father Henry said goodbye to 18 years of residency in Tupelo to take on a new assignment in Brookhaven to help fill the need that we have in our diocese due to the shortage of priests. I know it was hard for many here in Tupelo to say goodbye to him.
But, that is they way ministry is. We give thanks for Paul and those first Fathers and Mothers of the Early Church who were pioneers in preaching Good News of Jesus Christ and for all the priests and lay ministers who have served here in our parish of St James in Tupelo. The Lord is with us in our of our experiences - in our joys and our accomplishments, in our sufferings and our challenges, in our arrivals and in our goodbyes.
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