“Who the hell do you think you are??”

This question was posed, with shock and awe in mind, by a professor of mine when instructing us about handling the bread at the Eucharist. You are not Jesus, was his point. And this is true. So just know the answer to the question is not that. But in the name of making sure priests don’t think they’re Jesus, or don’t think they are somehow holier than the laity, there has been, in the past few years, a growing tide of anti-clericalism in the Church. In many ways this is a very good thing. After years of utter deference to their priests, lay people are being encouraged to take more ownership over the ministries and vitality of their church and faith life. This is good for both laity and clergy.

But being a newly ordained priest, it strikes me that this anti-clericalism has infiltrated our formational structures such that priests are not encouraged to articulate an identity worthy of their calling. The pendulum has swung a little too far in the direction of dismantling the ecclesiastical hierarchy and has led to an impoverished view of the priesthood; its duties and responsibilities. Continue reading →

“My brother, the Church is the family of God, the body of Christ, and the temple of the Holy Spirit. All baptized people are called to make Christ known as Savior and Lord, and to share in the renewing of his world. Now you are called with you bishop and fellow presbyters, and to take your share in the councils of the Church…” It was at that point, the beginning of “The Examination,” that I found my soon to be ordained knees start to quake. To think of taking my share in the councils of the church, councils that stretch back ages, across our globe is humbling to say the least. Never are you smaller or less important than when your grain of sand first washes up on the shore. It is overwhelming and inspiring at the same time. The Church is bigger, and more lasting and more faithful on the whole than any single person and certainly than any single priest. When new on the scene, one should probably be content to have arrived and be thankful for a place at the table. After all, there are people here far smarter and far more experienced in this work than you ever shall be. So be quiet, learn, and know your place.

But there is also certain gift that comes from being new on the scene. Continue reading →