-
Omnibus Omnia!
When I was in charge of a tiny parish a long time ago, literally I was responsible for everything. I was office manager, parish receptionist, bulletin editor, money counter (making deposits), facilities manager (cleaning and trash removal), youth minister, and liturgy planner, among other things. What was my job description? Whatever the needs were, I had to take care of them. Such is the life of a parish priest.
I can easily relate to what St. Paul is saying today: “Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all… All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it” (1 Cor 9:22-23).
“All things to all” is omnibus omnia in Latin. The word bus as a public transportation comes from this word, omnibus, to all, thus, available to everyone. Becoming all things to all, that is what St. Paul tried to be and that is a fine example of theological and pastoral latitude and versatility. Parents can understand this well. What is the job description of parents in a household? Omnibus omnia!
At the same time, we realize that it is impossible to become and do everything by ourselves. So we rely on each other. We need one another. Collaboration and delegation are necessary and desirable. We are not meant to be entirely autonomous and self-reliant. We try to help each other and work together in realizing our full potential or the common good.
As a parish, we have a common identity and goal to be a community of disciples, faithfully following the footsteps of Jesus in realizing the kingdom of God among us. God has given each one of us different talents and opportunities. St. Paul enlightens us with another insight: “I… urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift…. And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ” (Eph. 4).
Unlike that tiny parish where I had to do everything, here at St. Jude’s we have so many parishioners who willingly and competently take care of various things such as instructing young people in our Faith Formation programs, tending our gardens and plants, decorating the church for various liturgical seasons, managing St. Stephen’s Food Pantry, counting money, and, of course, we have ushers, lectors, eucharistic ministers, altar servers and so on. We are blessed with many talents and generous hearts. Together we help one another to attain to the full stature of Christ!
Fr. Paul D. Lee