So, What Now?

“Well, that’s good information, thank you. But I have to ask: So what?”
 
It’s one of the many sayings/questions attributed to local theologian and snarkologist (yes, I made that up) Dr. Steve Orwig. As the Dean of the Iona Collaborative School of Ministry over the last ten years, Dr. Orwig has stood watch over throngs of emerging clergy in the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma. He has been tasked with the testing, formation, and overall wellness of his students—a task he has approached with love and sarcasm, the best mix. His jokes? Terrible. His attire? Grandpa. His mind?
 
Brilliant.
 
He has a way of drawing out the importance within the statements being made. Someone may write or orate a pleasing sentiment, but Dr. Orwig almost always follows up with, “So, what?” What he means is this: So, what now? What do I do with the knowledge you just gave me? How does this land in a practical way, theological way, or any way that I can utilize for myself? I have absolutely loved this part of his pedagogy, even as a bystander and partner with him at Iona. His questioning mind has triggered my own in different ways, causing me to ask the same question, especially following Holy Week.
 
So, what now?
 
We had a tremendous turnout beginning on Palm Sunday and spanning throughout the week, culminating in the resurrection at Resurrection. I’ve received texts, emails, and phone calls regarding the meaningful services and sermons, so I know that people were changed if even only a little. Yet, I ask myself, “So, what now?” What do we do with all this built-up spiritual discipline, this stronger discipleship? Often enough, people will get worked-up by words and have nowhere to expend that energy. We get excited about something temporarily, but without consolidating our gains, we end up losing much of what we obtained. My hope is that this writing can serve as a reminder to keep moving forward while also taking time to discern what this past week, and season of Lent, has meant to us. What has it shown us about ourselves? About our communities? About one another?
 
I encourage all of us to continue seeking faith-filled acts and services. I urge all of us to consider what we’ve already encountered—and to reflect on that. They say the hardest part of a diet isn’t losing the weight, it’s keeping it off through maintenance. Don’t forget to maintain the disciplines of Holy Week and Lent. Remember that we aren’t this faithful just once a year, rather we are called to remain diligent in our faith, year-round. While the Summer looms and fun vacations await, our faith is something we can never allow to be set aside; instead, we must remember that we are set apart (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) and that our work is never finished.

We have entered Jerusalem. We have eaten in the upper room. We have washed each other’s feet. We have sat at the empty tomb. We have witnessed the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

So, what now?

Faithfully,
Fr. Sean+