FLOCKNOTE REFLECTION: Seeing God in the midst of our daily life

     We have a lot of different responsibilities and tasks in our daily lives, don’t we?  During the week, I am normally downtown at the chancery office, working in administrative duties for the Diocese. In the evening and on the weekend, I try to attend to my duties at St Jude, but I still have a lot to do during those times regarding my duties with Diocese.  These duties are diverse and many.  It includes a lot of meeting. One of the employees at the chancery office told me, "Father Lincoln, it seems like you are always at a meeting or planning a meeting." Having been the interim finance director of the Diocese for almost a year, I have a lot of involvement in the financial administration of our Diocese.  As you all know, this summer, the federal government completed its investigation of our Diocese with a deferred persecution agreement.  Last week, we met for the first time with the compliance oversight board and the federal attorney to review and listen to suggestions on the reforms we have been making at our Diocese, especially in the areas of policy, procedures, administration, and compliance.  As a part of these reforms, we have implemented a fraud prevention hotline.  We know that our daily lives at times can be complicated, challenging, and difficult.  I was called to be a priest here in the Diocese of Jackson.  At the present moment, God is calling me to these administrative duties as a part of my service as a priest. In the midst of our daily lives, we ask God for a blessing.  I wanted to share with you the prayer that started our compliance oversight board meeting last week.   God hears our pleas and he meets us inner reality.  

Let us pray: 

Lord God of holiness and mercy: We come to you today as servants to your Church and to your people.

As we meet today as the compliance oversight board, we ask for the grace of your guidance, especially during these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

May the true needs of our Diocese and the common good of all be our concern.

May your will become our will.

As we meet today, we ask for your blessings for our Diocese. 

May the Holy Spirit who inspired the apostles when they met together visit us today and grant us the light of divine wisdom, leading us and guiding us in our meeting today.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  AMEN.