22 February, Thursday — What a friend we have in Jesus

22 Feb – Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, the Apostle

The feast of the Chair of St. Peter at Rome, Italy has been celebrated from the early days of the Christian era on Jan 18, in commemoration of the day when St. Peter held his first service in Rome. The feast of the Chair of St. Peter at Antioch commemorating his foundation of the See of Antioch, has also been long celebrated at Rome on Feb 22. At each place, a chair (cathedra) which the Apostle had used while presiding at Mass was venerated.

• Patron Saint Index

This feast has been kept in Rome since the fourth century, as a symbol of the unity of the Church.

• The Weekday Missal

1 Pet 5:1-4
Mt 16:13–19

…be an example that the whole flock can follow.

After 14 years growing and leading a team of communications professionals, and watching close to fifty of them join, leave and rejoin us, I will soon be relinquishing my role as head of division. When the draft announcement was shared with me towards the end of last month, I was surprised because instead of the usual cursory para on when and who will take over, there was an additional note of thanks to record my contributions to the university since 2010.

Over the years, I have intentionally and mindfully tried to be the leader of a ‘flock’ that has morphed and evolved. I call my current team version 5.5, factoring in all the resignations, returns and mid-year joinees. So in terms of what a HOD has gone through, I am now seen as an ‘elder’ and already, more than few well-meaning colleagues have asked to have lunch with me.  

…and with you I have a share in the glory that is to be revealed.

At a recent silent retreat held in the hills of Cebu in the Philippines, I was given two verses one morning by my spiritual director/guide. He encouraged me to use all of my five senses to contemplate on John 21 (Jesus calls his disciples to have a meal on shore) and Luke 24 (the two men on the road to Emmaus) throughout the day and to then see what would be revealed during the nightly adoration session.

That evening, when the blessed sacrament was exposed and I contemplated being on the boat alongside the disciples who were busy trying to catch fish, I caught a whiff of grilled fish. Just for a second…then it went away. When I shared this with my SD the next morning, he said it was Jesus’ way of confirming me as His friend. “Now that He has revealed himself again to you, learn to consult with Him as a close friend the next time you are going through something.”

And so, since then, what other colleagues in similar situations (having to transition out of roles to make way for new blood) have not found enjoyable has been the opposite for me. I have understanding, kind, deputies who continue to seek my counsel and who are considerate. And a direct boss who has expressed his gratitude openly and created a new role for me alongside a new colleague, who is a Christian and an alumnus of my high school (he calls me ‘elder’ in Mandarin). Brothers and sisters, this is no coincidence. I believe that God is slowly unveiling His plan for me over the coming months.

I am being entrusted to continue to be a ‘mentor’ or guide of sorts to those around me at work. To shepherd the new generation of leaders and to help maintain a culture of authenticity and openness among the group. It is a task I never asked for, but I know is what lies ahead for me. Funnily enough, there is a parallel road being revealed in my ministry and I just continue to trust that He will lead/guide/reveal and help me land on my feet.

St Peter never had any training to become who he eventually did. All he had was love for Jesus, and a faith that was rooted in a special bond which Jesus formed with His disciples. Brothers and sisters, that bond is not reserved only for those who are ordained or who hold office. Jesus wants to be our BFF. Are we willing to open our hearts and be his BFF?    

(Today’s OXYGEN by Desmond Soon)

Prayer: Lord, we seek you in all our daily encounters and sometimes are blinded by our sins, our doubts, our fears and our anxieties. Help us to see you Lord, present in our lives, our workplaces, our schools, our offices, in church and in the confessional. Help us to unburden ourselves and to take all that troubles us to you in faith; because all you want is for us to desire to be your friend. 

Thanksgiving: Thank you Lord, for cherishing us, no matter how broken we are. We give thanks for the gift of faith and for your unceasing love for each and every one of us.