Rule of Thumb

Respecting our ancestors and successors

10/28/2019

Luke 6:12-16 Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

One of the first rules of thumb they teach new pastors is, “Don’t change anything for the first six months to a year in your new parish.” Recently, I was visiting with Fr. Stephen, the new pastor of Pocahontas, and we talked about that rule and why it’s good to remember. Why are new pastors taught that rule? Every new pastor faces a subtle temptation to succumb to the Messiah complex, to think he has come to save this parish instead of Jesus. That is, we priests are tempted to think the former pastor had left matters a disaster and thank goodness the bishop has sent me on my white horse to ride in and save the poor parishioners, like the damsel in distress.

The rule to not change anything (if possible) for at least six months to a year acknowledges that the Holy Spirit was at work in the ministry of holy priests long before I arrived. And just as importantly, the Holy Spirit will continue to inspire holy men long after I ride off into the sunset on my white horse. Another subtle temptation of some pastors is believing the next generation will undo and ruin all the good I have achieved here. That, too, is a failure to see the wondrous work the Spirit does in every age and through every pastor.

Today we celebrate the feast of two apostles, Simon and Jude. Not a lot is known about them. According to tradition, they both preached the good news in Persia (modern-day Iran). They both suffered martyrdom: Simon was sawn in half, and Jude was thrust through with a spear. In the gospel of Luke 6, Jesus selects 12 men to be his apostles. Now, why 12 rather than 7 or 10 or 20 or 1,000. Why not deputize all his followers to become apostles. Well, because Jesus is a good pastor, and he knows well the rule of thumb to build on the good work of those who came before him, and not change things arbitrarily.

In the book of Genesis, God has blessed Jacob with 12 sons who would become the Patriarchs of the 12 tribes of Israel. Each tribe named after each patriarch. Jesus knew the Holy Spirit had done good work before him. And what the preoccupation of the apostles after Judas betrays Jesus and hangs himself? Acts chapter 1 records the urgent need to restore the college of apostles to 12. They draw lots and elect Matthias. Jesus had predicted this at the Last Supper when he said to the Twelve in Luke 22:30: “You will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” In other words, there exists a continuity of collaboration between the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, the ministry of Jesus the Messiah in the 4 Gospels, and the apostolic activity of the Twelve in the New Testament, all the way down to the modern day pastors of Pope Francis, Bishop Taylor, Fr. John, and even to whomever succeeds us. To respect the role of each pastor, like an indispensable link in a long chain stretching back to Abraham and even Adam, is summed up in the rule of thumb, “Don’t change anything for six months to a year.”

The temptation of “Messiah complex” does not just afflict priests and pastors, it attacks all of us. When we become teenagers and young adults, what thought often crosses many young minds? We tend to think: “I’ll do things so much better than my parents did! I won’t make all the mistakes they did in raising us!” Like new pastors, so new parents, sometimes think they will ride in on their while horse and save the damsel in distress. But the sober reality is often the opposite. We make as many blunders as they did, and probably more. In order to resist that temptation, try to carry on the traditions of your elders: family get-togethers, church services, shared vacations, and even preserve the language of your ancestors, Polish, German, Italian, Indian, Spanish or Cajun! Remember the rule of thumb for new pastors and new parents: “Don’t change anything for six months to a year,” and maybe keep some family traditions forever, like your faith.

A friend of mine wanted to join the Cistercian monastery a few years ago, a very strict and austere religious order. They follow the rule of St. Benedict so rigorously, they say: “We don’t change the rule, the rule changes us.” That is how good rules of thumb really work.

Praised be Jesus Christ!