“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. Fresh eyes catch things that have been forgotten, or overlooked.They turn over rocks in the name of learning. They weed through the brambles of apathy that have choked off new growth in the name of discovery. And if they are bold enough, they cause people, or institutions to look critically at themselves so as to assess and grow. When done lovingly, with the deepest care of the subject in mind, fresh eyes are not critical but encouraging. They point out holes or gaps that should be filled or at least addressed.
It is with that Spirit that in the coming weeks—in anticipation of my one year anniversary of being ordained a priest—that I will use this blog to offer some observations about the state of the Church and the priesthood. These thoughts are not merely critical, they are also moments of surprise and joy. And they are proffered with a level of love and commitment to this Church that prevents me from remaining silent. As a Church we must know and celebrate what it is we offer that is so powerful, and we must be aware of ways we can continue to grow and improve, becoming ever more fully the Body of Christ we are blessed to be.