Remembering Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar

by

Special to United Methodist Insight

Advent is always a special time for me to reflect and anticipate what is to come.  When I was younger, I anticipated what gifts I would receive at Christmas.  I am old enough to have had the joy of circling my wish list in the Sears and Roebuck Christmas Catalog rather than making my list on Amazon.  As I have grown older now, I tend to reflect on the precious memories of gifts I have received in the past.  Even though some of those gifts disappeared too soon, like the hamster that escaped Christmas morning, their memories last a lifetime. It is those memories, that often warm my heart and turn my heart to giving thanks to God for so many blessings.

Certainly, the list is long with the gifts and blessings I have received from God, but there is one that comes back to my heart especially this year.  I know that one of the special gifts I have received in my life was knowing Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, who we suddenly lost this past July to the Church Triumphant.  He probably comes to mind to me especially now because of the wisdom of his sermon that he shared at General Conference 2016 about the Magi. 

He preached Saturday morning, May 14 at General Conference on the theme: “Going With Courage.”  He reminded us how important it is to be brave enough to listen if we are to arrive at the right place.  His gift of modeling deep listening and seeking spiritual consensus is a gift The United Methodist Church should remember and heed now.

I personally was blessed that Bishop Devadhar listened to me with his heart when I first entered the ministry through the District Committee on Ministry that he chaired.  I was very passionate for seeing and serving Jesus, but very rough around the edges.  He sent me on my journey with the wisdom he shared in his 2016 message, “As long as we follow the way God is leading, we know God’s reign will surely come.”

I remember with fondness, while at my first Jurisdictional Conference, being present when Bishop Devadhar was elected to the episcopacy.  I was working with the NEJ Youth Caucus, and they appreciated his love for young people and were enthusiastic at his election.  His gift of sharing himself though his presence with young people on pilgrimages to Taizé and the Mission of Peace created moments that influenced them for a lifetime.

I served with Bishop Devadhar on the Division of Ministry with Young People from 2008-2012.  He always focused on guiding us to listen to one another so we might come to a consensus.  This took time, but he knew and showed that time is an essential ingredient for us to do deep listening so that we may grow closer to one another as one in Jesus Christ.  It was a joy to see young people go to him at the cathedral in Berlin at the Global Young People’s Convocation to be anointed, blessed, and comforted by a bishop who listened to them, loved them, and was present with them.

I found this same spirit shared when the church was in conflict.  Serving as a clergy advocate, I found Bishop Devadhar was one who took the time to creatively listen to all parties and come to a just resolution.  He always worked so that no one would be harmed or that any harm would be stopped.  His heart’s desire was always to make things right as far as possible and bring healing to everyone.

I would close with the words he shared in his 2016 Sermon at General Conference.  “The wisemen were not clever enough to find the manger without the erudition of the biblical scholars of the Herodian court, but they were willing to listen and discern to arrive at their destination.  They were, however, wise enough to listen to the voice of God and not return to the insecure king with the news of their having found the Messiah.”

May we be as wise! For the gift of this wise bishop my heart sings the final lines of that great hymn, “For the giver, for the gift, Praise, Praise, Praise!”

The Rev. Robert Zilhaver serves as superintendent of the Connellsville District of the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference.

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