Author: Tim Kelley
Greetings from the mountains of western North Carolina.
Timing is an interesting thing. I might never have come to Asheville if it hadn’t been for a breeze hitting at a precise moment, flipping the pages of a book of colleges I was perusing open to UNC-Asheville. Ecclesiastes tells us, “There is an appointed time for everything.” (Ecc 3:1). People talk all the time about the right time, the wrong time, and so on. If I had opened this article wishing you all a Merry Christmas, you probably would have said this was the wrong time for that. We all have our own timing in responding to what is happening around us. A person’s response to a request may very well depend on the timing in which that person receives the request. The same can be said about a response to God’s calling. Sometimes distractions prevent us from hearing that calling. Sometimes we are reluctant to put God’s calling above our own “urgent” life, despite the best of intentions. At one time or another, haven’t we all said something to the effect of “I hear you, Lord – I’ll do that just as soon as…”? Sometimes we can help others with that without realizing we are doing so. An amazing thing is that our words and actions can often help to reinforce a calling someone has received. How many times have you felt a strong feeling that you should say something to someone, and been told by that person later what a difference that made?
When we, as Knights of Columbus, approach men in our parishes, we understand for them – just as it is for us – that timing is everything, and that a “no” today isn’t a “no” forever. Leave the door open, but don’t be a stalker about it. Likewise, if we introduce a program into our parish and it isn’t a resounding success, it doesn’t mean the program will never work in the parish. Timing likely was a key component preventing its success the first time. Prayerfully consider why it didn’t work initially and how it could work in the future.
Speaking of timing, I will give you a peek behind the curtain. These articles for the Tar Heel Knight are due by the 25th of the month prior to when they are published. This means that I am writing this article before the Eucharistic Congress in Charlotte takes place and you are reading it after it’s already taken place. I hope many of you had the opportunity to attend and that it had a spiritual impact for you. Even looking into the future, I can safely say that it did for me. When I personally question what path I should take, or even what to talk about at a meeting or what to write about here, I find my best discernment is always tied to the Eucharist. Whether it be something I hear at Mass or something I pray about at Adoration, my moments of greatest clarity always come when I am in the presence of the Real Presence.
In a divided world, the Eucharist is where we can turn for unity, for as we are reminded by the priest at every Mass, it is only “through Him, with Him, and in Him” that we find the path to the Kingdom of Heaven, and that is true for all of us. Don’t let the “stuff” of the world take your eyes off the Prize. The world divides – God unites, and there is no place where He unites us more than in our sharing of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of His Son. As Knights, let us walk with our brothers and sisters and help them in this journey we all share and let us take time amidst our busyness for some quiet time in His Presence. The more time we spend with Jesus, the more clarity we will find in this often-confusing world. We have the tools – the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Let us be prayerful and be alert to how God is calling us to use them – and in what timing.
Timing is also important when it comes to Safe Environment, as I take this time to put on my Advocate hat. If your council’s officers and directors don’t complete their training (and background check, if necessary) within 45 days of receiving the invitation, then they will either have to be replaced – OR the council will need to submit a new Form 185 and/or Form 365 to trigger a new invitation being sent. As we are now 2 months in the fraternal year, many councils now find themselves in this boat. I am in the process of contacting those who are not currently compliant. Let us do our due diligence to take responsibility for protecting those most vulnerable members of our parish communities.
May God bless you all during this season of Ordinary Time, which, as all things that come from the Lord, is quite extraordinary.
“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.” – Matthew 7:24
Vivat Jesus!