Jun 28 – St. Irenaeus, bishop, martyr
Irenaeus (c.130–202) was a disciple of St. Polycarp of Smyrna. He was ordained in 177. He was Bishop of Lugdunum, Gaul (modern Lyons, France). He worked and wrote against Gnosticism, basing his arguments on the works of St. John the Apostle, whose gospel is often cited by Gnostics. He dispatched evangelists, including St. Ferreolus of Besancon, and St. Ferrutio of Bescancon. He is considered the first great Western ecclesiastical writer and theologian, and he emphasized the unity of the Old and New Testaments, as well as Christ’s simultaneous human and divine nature, and the value of tradition. He is a Father of the Church and was martyred for his faith.
- Patron Saint Index
2 Tim 2:22-26
Jn 17:20-26
He has to be gentle when he corrects people who dispute what he says…
As I approach the winter of my working life (I recently received my university’s first 15-year long service award), a fellow colleague and I chatted briefly on our journeys since we first met more than 10 years ago when he joined us. At 63, he is now on a yearly contract and continuing to do what he enjoys – teaching and imparting his knowledge to a new generation of engineers.
For me, looking back on a relatively ‘exciting time’ as head of a division that managed the image of the organisation for more than 10 years, I recall getting fiercely protective and slightly ‘riled up’ when colleagues from other divisions would offer their ‘suggestions’ as to how best something should be done/written or executed. Back then, my retort (unverbalised) would be along the following lines: ‘I am the expert and here you are telling me how to do MY job?’ or ‘I don’t tell you how to do your job, so stop trying to do mine.’ And I would sometimes make sure it registered on my face.
These days, as an individual contributor in a senior role, I have limited interactions with most of the other divisions, as my work is now more confined and does not cut across the entire university. And as I observe some of my ‘newer’ peers — those who have joined within the past two to three years – I can empathise with some of their ‘teething problems’ in their dealings with other divisions (for e.g., Finance or HR).
Inevitably, one or two of them will approach me to tap my brain on how best to ‘deal with’ so-and-so or to ‘find a work around’ a process which they feel doesn’t make sense. I simply smile and say, “Well, you just have to trust that so-and-so knows what he/she is doing, and take their advice on the best course of action.” I actually say this to gauge the reaction I will get. If the person waves it away, then I just accept that he/she might know better. If, however, the person starts to probe even more and refute what I say, then it shows me he/she is really interested to get to a solution. I offer to sit them down and work through their problem over a cup of coffee/tea….or a meal.
I truly believe that time, and the Spirit, have formed me into someone who has become more appreciative of the fact that I have persevered and stuck to my guns where I work. Another colleague sent me this text together with a picture she took of me receiving the award on stage – ‘Thank you for being our role model for resilience and dedication’.
Brothers and sisters, when we surrender in faith – and not to our circumstances – I believe God does change and mould us. This has been so true for me both at work, and in ministry. It is not so much a ‘mellowing’ but more of a ‘rounding’ of our personality/character. I liken it to a porcupine (once prickly) losing its quills and become ‘less prickly’. And when others see/feel our reactions, they too are similarly affected.
I used to think that walking away or keeping an arm’s length from a person/situation was the best solution if I wanted to avoid conflict. But for a while now, I have begun to appreciate the ‘softer’ approach where a response that is totally unexpected brings about an unexpected outcome…one that leads to common understanding and, in some cases, reconciliation.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Desmond Soon)
Prayer: Lord, help us to look beyond the words of those who intend to hurt or injure us. Give us the grace to respond in kind and with love towards them, so that we can move forward together.
Thanksgiving: We thank you for the many times you have graced us during a difficult situation or when we were in conflict with another.
OXYGEN 
Leave a comment