Twelve Years a Priest

Twelve Years a Priest

Today (August 13th), twelve years ago I was ordained at my hometown parish of Our Lady of Grace.  I remember the day, it was clear, sunny, and hot.  A typical August day, but far from typical for me, my family and friends.  I understood what I was doing as I am sure even those who get married know that they are sure, but you can never imagine the fullness of what it is you are doing on that day.

I could imagine all the moments I would have as a priest, be they moments of extraordinary joy and at times moments of great challenges, and these were moments I could envision even as I lay prostrate in front of the sanctuary.

Even though I had these thoughts I did not see everything they encompassed or had in store.  As I reflect over the twelve years, though not long as say 25, 40, or 50 years, the friendships I have made from my time at Bishop Eustace to now at Holy Family are incredible.  To be blessed by so many wonderful, good and holy people is amazing.  The blessings we receive as priests are numerous:  to preach, to administer the sacraments, to prepare for liturgy, our own prayer life, etc., are all so meaningful and of great import.  However, in those moments relationships are made and are built up.

I understand now, that even though I gave up the possibility of having my own children and being married, as priests we are married to everyone and all are our spiritual children.  Going through seminary I always thought that saying was so cliché, i.e. you get more children by being a priest because everyone becomes your family.  However, as the years have gone by I understand clearer what Jesus said to the Apostles, that since they gave up so much they would be greatly rewarded both here and in heaven, and I can see and experience those rewards already because of you.  To know that you are my friends and there are so many of you, too difficult to count, gives me a profound sense of purpose.

There is no greater thing for a priest than to love his people and know that he is loved in return.  I strive to love all and I pray I will have the same fervor before I leave this earth as did St. Paul did, here are his words, and not only words but something he truly meant and felt, “I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart.  For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh.” 

In my twelve years as a priest I have come to understand these words more and more especially since I have become a pastor.  Everything is about relationships and love.  I have received two great gifts in my life, the first was being ordained to serve the people, the second gift was the people themselves.  My prayer much like St. Paul’s is that I too will be a gift to you to help you on your journey to heaven, for in the end that is our goal, to be with God for all eternity.  Thank you for your prayers, love and friendship it has made these twelve years a priest the greatest joy of my life.   

Belief in the Christian Story: Tolkien and Lewis

Beloved:
We did not follow cleverly devised myths
when we made known to you
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . (2 Peter 1:16)

Often atheists will look upon Christianity or any religion for that matter, as a myth, a telling of a story that is not true and at best is just a moral platitude.  I say that the story of Christianity is a true story and that it is history itself, a story that is true, for even the word “true” or “truth” has no meaning without this story, the story of God.

When J.R.R. Tolkien was trying to convince his good friend C.S. Lewis that God existed and that the Bible was not a cleverly devised myth he used the analogy of a prison.  He said to Lewis, in an argument to this effect, “If people from birth were immediately put into a prison with no windows would they ever be able to conceive of anything in their minds outside of the prison?  No, they would not, their entire world and knowledge is contained within the walls of the prison, it would be impossible to think of something outside of the walls.  Unless, indeed there was something outside of the walls, and that – that something gave the prisoners an instinct, a thought, of something greater than what was inside of these walls only.” 

Tolkien’s logic is solid, for how can man think of anything outside of this world\universe, this world – this universe is our prison, if you will.  How is that we can think of God, of heaven of something that exists outside of these walls?  No, we could not!  But since God has made us in His image, we have the instinct, the thought of what’s beyond these walls.

Tolkien hooked Lewis with this argument.  He met Lewis on level ground, two master story tellers, one showing the other the value of story and its beauty to show that all stories are connected to the one story, the story of Jesus. It’s His story (history).  It’s a story rooted in truth a truth we could never conceive on our own, but a truth embedded in our very nature (we are made in the image and likeness of God).

Lewis was a staunch atheist who became a very devout Christian.  He realized that story was not a cleverly devised myth but one that made complete sense.  He not only understood Tolkien’s argument of the prison but He felt something even greater, the power of Christ.  He felt the author of all tell the story through Tolkien, but more importantly he felt the author of all touch his heart and he realized that he was an important character in the story, a prisoner who finally understood why he had these thoughts of something outside the walls, for that thing is God!

Pictured below is early art concept of a Tolkien - Lewis film, I pray it is true :)