Where do I begin? Or I guess more appropriately how do I end? Transitions are never easy even when they are self-inflicted. As with my coming to this little paradise six years ago, the coming to retirement isn’t all that hard. It is letting go of a place and a people that I love and care deeply about that is so very difficult. But don’t cry for me, my dear parishioners, because after all I’m moving on to a time in life that I can pursue, without any guilt, my love of travel as I become a roaming Catholic. And of course, after wandering the world, I’ll always find joy traveling east once again on that five-mile stretch across the marsh that we call Tybee Road. You haven’t seen the last of me yet. As for yourselves, I pray that you don’t fret too much about this transition. I have no doubt that soon enough you will experience many blessings and much joy under the spiritual leadership of Fr. Brannen. He will be as different from me as I was from Fr. Peyton. He will have his own special gifts that will help this faith community move ever deeper into the reality of God’s love. And he’ll have the support of the best staff (Delia, Ryan, and Madison) and the best parish leadership that any pastor could ever want. 44 years ago, when I was ordained for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, I simply couldn’t have imagined that I’d end up in a little paradise called Tybee. Yet as I reflect upon my time with you, I feel such a tremendous love for the people of our faith community. For the last six years, you’ve allowed me to become involved in the stories of your lives. I treasure this faith community. I treasure how so many of you minister to each other; how you are present to each other in good times and in bad. I treasure your willingness to grow and respond to a pastoral vision that not only honors the past but also looks to the future. I thank you for understanding my need to remain close to my family and my desire to create a deeper fraternity with my brother priests. I thank you for all the wonderful meals and awesome faith sharing moments that we’ve experienced together. I thank you for having tolerated my bouncy ball ministry with the kids. I especially thank my dear friends who gathered to pray with me before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and celebrated the Eucharist with me during the week. St. Michael, Tybee will always be a safe harbor for me. God has been so good to me. God has shown me such great love in and through this wonderful faith community. You’ve given me the joy of being present at my own wake. Your kind words have humbled me. I am grateful for your cards, notes, and gifts. I am grateful for your prayers, your support, and your love these past six years. With a grateful heart, I will remember you in my prayers and when I celebrate the Eucharist. Forever in Christ,
Fr. Jerry Ragan
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time by the Faithful Disciple Jer 20:10-13 | Rom 5:12-15 | Mt 10:26-33
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: When I was in middle school, I came upon a group of students who had singled out another student, accusing her of some pretty rotten things. The Lord must have helped me to be brave that day because I decided to step in and defend her. Thankfully, calling them out on their cruelty was enough to fend them off. Thank God for his presence and aid in that moment! In the first reading today, Jeremiah tells of his experience of being betrayed and accused: “All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. ‘Perhaps he will be trapped [they say]; then we can prevail and take our vengeance on him.’” But Jeremiah does not lose heart, saying also, “the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion.” And Jesus’ words in the Gospel echo the resolve of Jeremiah when he says: “Fear no one … What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light … And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” It seems pretty clear, then, that our job is to bring the Good News of Jesus into the world whenever we can and let his light shine forth by our words and actions. We are commissioned to be warriors for Christ who should not fear injury but rather call upon him in our need and trust in his goodness and mercy to render aid.
GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT
GO: Stepping into a conflict or situation can be difficult. But we are not meant to do it alone. Yes, we are called to proclaim the Word of God at every opportunity – to let “zeal” for our Father’s house consume us, as we heard in the psalm. And the task at hand may seem a daunting one – until we focus on the second part of the Gospel and soak in the depth of the love Jesus has for each of his children. Matthew writes: “Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted.” We are not alone as we do the work of the Father; rather, we are known and loved by him and strengthened by the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. We can feel emboldened by this as we pursue the everlasting gift of heaven.
ENGAGE: This world often tells us to do what makes us happy. Let’s challenge ourselves to, instead, do what makes us holy, as we keep our eyes fixed on the path to eternity.