Transcript:
Hello, beloved in Christ. Today, I am bringing you greetings from the planning for sabbatical discernment retreat here in Richmond, Virginia. I am gathered with my fellow bishops here, and we were given three questions to ponder this week. Who are you? What is your purpose? And what do you need? The first question was fairly easy for me. Who I am is defined by my heritage and my history, by my relationships with God and with those I love and care for. My purpose is derived from that identity, the gifts that I’ve been given and the call that has been placed upon my life. My purpose is figuring out how I live and share the gospel in this world.
The last question, what do I need, was harder to answer. Like so many of you, I spend a lot of my time caring for others, serving others. I feel the burden of responsibility keenly, and I don’t often take time to ask myself, “What do I need?” I do know that I need and I covet your prayers. I ask for them as I do this discernment of planning for sabbatical, planning for what kind of Sabbath rest will make me feel nourished, will help me return to you to serve you faithfully. And I ask your help in discerning what my need is. And I pray for the Holy Spirit to keep me open to realizing that need. And I ask you to ask yourself those questions this week. Who are you? What is your purpose? And what do you need? Blessings.