Amen

It can be a double-edged sword when you and your spouse work for the same organization. On the one hand, you always have someone who understands how you’re spending your day. On the other, you can quickly fall into the trap of talking about work all the time. Recently, we’ve both been involved in the same project and chatting about it a lot. Tricia is great at giving feedback and identifying gaps.

Last week, I came home feeling a little deflated and somewhat anxious about the effort. As we got dinner ready, Tricia was rattling off a couple of excellent, but critical observations. At some point, I stopped chopping carrots and just asked, “Do you believe in this effort?” Confused, she answered that of course she did and wondered why I was asking. I told her that for whatever reason, I just needed to hear her say it.

That Sunday, I happened to be an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and despite my best effort to be focused on the Lord, I was distracted at how few people said “Amen.” When I got back to my pew, I couldn’t help but reflect on the importance of declaring our belief. While I’m sure the Lord delights in and desires our “amen,” He doesn’t need them - we do. We need them to help our own belief. We need to offer them and hear them to encourage both others and ourselves in faith. In life, leadership, and certainly discipleship, do I begin with and come back to my amen? Whether it’s trying to strengthen the Church or a relationship, do I make sure that others know first of my deep belief, of the “amen” from which my feedback or suggestion springs?

As we move toward Holy Week, let’s approach every situation - especially the altar of our Lord - with a clear and intentional “amen” to what we do and for Whom we do it.