Jan 12 John of Ravena

Jack and Thom
Good Morning, I love you


January 12

John of Ravena d. 494

Fifth century Rome. The depth of the fall of the Roman empire. Pax Romana coming to an end. You’d think that the Alps and the peninsula nature of Italy and the glories of a long line of emperor-conquerers would have protected the Romans, even from themselves.

In 452, John of Ravena was chosen to serve as bishop of Ravenna – a way station on the way to Rome for the invading Huns. The bioblurb doesn’t give us much more than John of Ravena’s stand against Attila the Hun and his success with King Theodoric the Great Ostrogoth.

Every leadership role assumes more responsibilities than you’d ever find in the job description. Paul gives us the best descriptions for presbyter, priest, and bishop as well as the qualities necessary for best serving God’s flock. No where will you find in the bible the suggestion that the bishop should stand before the gates to the city and stare down the invading Huns.

What possesses a man to take on Attila the Hun? The Holy Spirit in all her wisdom and with a serious sense of humor. She’s laughing at our sense of self, our ideas about power, our surrender to the realities of history. John of Ravena accepted his vocation to be shepherd to his flock and defend them against all threats – spiritual and temporal. To fight for them with the only weapon he had that would have a chance against Attila the Hun: The Holy Spirit channeling through him from a lifetime of prayer, faith, and service.

When you feel yourself cowering before the Attilas in your life, the people who wish to squash you like a bug, to ring out of you every ounce of goodness and faith, remember the shield of the Holy Spirit imprinted on your heart at baptism and confirmation. Better yet. Prepare yourself for the endless confrontations you will have with The Evil One by daily prayer and frequent communion and routine service to God’s needy sheep.

I love you,
Dad
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