Gratitude

Friends:

These days--the end of Advent--I think of many blessings.


In particular I am blessed with many friends--and particularly for this blog with many ecumenical Friends of the Consortium and its work. I have received many Christmas greetings.

I also have been receiving many thanks for my work in the Consortium these last 13 years. Of course, we have done this work together.

I am grateful for people's words of appreciation.

This is a time to give thanks for many blessings.
And most importantly for Jesus with us--He humbled Himself for our salvation.

Peace,
John

Director Transition

Friends:

Several folks have asked me how the transition to a new Director will proceed.
The answer is that the Consortium Board of Trustees will choose the new Director.
The Executive Committee of the Board intends to meet in the first part of January to begin the process of discernment. I imagine that a path for the search will follow this meeting.

Peace,
John

Ecumenical Outreach

Friends:

Sometimes its good to talk to one of our ecumenical friends.
Today I had lunch with Fr. Tom Ryan, head of the Paulist Office on Ecumenism.

We get together from time to time to share about our ecumenical work.
Tom often gives retreats and workshops in the United States and Canada on Ecumenical Themes--such as praying together.

It is inspiring to listen to what is going on.
This sharing is mutually enriching and supportive.

Let me urge you to have conversations with ecumenical friends.

Peace,
John

Advent Lessons and Carols at WTU

Friends:

The couple next to me at Washington Theological Union's annual service of Lessons and Carols last Sunday night remarked that our attendance was a good way to sharpen our focus on the Advent season. Our 90 minutes together were quite uplifting. We listened to the Holy Word and sang in response. The time went by quickly. Fr. Jim Wallace's preaching was outstanding--as he pointed us out of the darkness to the Light.

Let us pray for one another as Christmas comes.

Peace,
John

Ecumenism in Depth

Friends:

As I move toward June and my transition, it might be Good to reflect on some of the principles guiding the work of the Consortium. One of the principles is Ecumenism in Depth.

I state it this way in my 10 points for new students:

While some are saying: All Christians are the same--The Consortium Schools are saying that the traditions are significantly different. We are saying that for the ecumenical future, you will need more than superficial theological knowledge. We are saying that, to be truly ecumenical, we need to understand our traditions so well, so deeply, that the commonalities will become clear and new insights will emerge.

Of course we now speak of Muslim-Christian Dialogue in depth as well. We owe it to each other to reflect the fullness of our faith in our conversations with one another. We want both the Muslims and the Christians to be both respectful and candid. A superficial harmony will not serve us. We must know ourselves well--and come to understand the other well. Then we can build a collaboration for the common good based on true knowledge.

Peace,
John

Preaching at HUSD

Friends:

Sharing a few words at the Divinity School last evening was a fine and prayerful experience.

The community at HUSD is always hospitable.

As a resident in the Brookland neighborhood, I try to attend Wednesday Worship a couple times each semester. It was a pleasure to share a few words with brothers and sisters. I was asked, being a Roman Catholic, to say a few words about the season of Advent.

Actually my sermon centered on an Advent theme--Jesus coming to us in a variety of ways. My notes for the Sermon will appear shortly on the Consortium Website. My style is very different from that of the many outstanding preachers I have heard over the last 13 years--but focusing on Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit always brings some point of spiritual enrichment, especially for the one preaching.

Peace,
John