People are People Too

One of the most interesting aspects in our society is the intense categorization found within how we understand and deal with people. This is of course necessary. Human curiosity and the need to understand the world around us inevitably causes us to classify people places and things. It helps us to see the difference between the Bengal tiger and the Butterfly.

But this categorization can also get our of control and blind our eyes to the simplest of realities before us. In God's Church there are many different people with many different personalities and gifts. But they all have one thing in common. They are all people. They are all beautifully made in God's image. He did not make a mistake in creating them. And just as he loving made them, he sustains their life. His love also does not wax and wane with the "quality" of their life.

I was blessed to begin volunteering at a nursing home yesterday. My first task was to begin a bible study and then go upstairs to the level where they keep the Alhzeimer's patients. I had no idea what to expect before I arrived. I didn't know how lucid these people would be or how able they would be to be able to participate. In that moment, I made a key error. I didn't think of them as people. I thought of them as old people. I thought of them as elderly people. I stopped thinking of them as children of God.

In the scriptures we read that "wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in your midst". Jesus wasn't specifying young people, or intelligent people. He wasn't setting a standard for a particular level of theological expertise.

The bible study itself was not as fruitful as I had hoped in that we didn't to discuss the scripture very much. But I didn't miss the point. We gathered together to praise God and to enjoy listening to his word. That was what he had wanted that day and we accomplished that.

As we go forward in ministry we must remember that there are too many labels for people. Our Christian brothers and sisters are not entries on an excel spreadsheet. They are human beings with souls loved by God in a way we cannot begin to understand. If we remember that, then we will be his people.

Congressional Hearing #1

In the Diocese of Southwest Florida where I reside and where I am pursuing ordination to the priesthood, the process whereby one gains consideration for ordained ministry has changed significantly in the last few years. And while I welcome the changes that normalize and standardize the process I have to admit that it doesn't make it any less stressful or intimidating. As part of the new process, the nomination that comes from the parish must be decided after three meeting where four parish members, an individual the person seeking ordination has never met, and the head of the commission on ministry. These are all good and Godly people who only want the best for me and for the diocese.

But sitting there across from all of them being asked questions about my history, my call to vocation and how I will handle the pressures of being a priest is a little nerve-wracking. It isn't that I am uncomfortable sharing my faith. It isn't that I don't know the answers. Rather, it's that contrary to the belief of so many people, I don't like being the center of attention. I like listening to others, not necessarily talking myself. What made me most nervous was the head of the commission on ministry nodding his head as I spoke. Was he agreeing with what I was saying? Or was he saying to himself "Yep. This guy is crazy!"

I'm not trying to overanalyze everything. It's more centered on feelings of inadequacy. My Christian story is special to me. I have no idea if it would be all that special or interesting to anyone else. I know there is no mold for a priest, but it would be nice to know how some of these people feel about my call to vocation.

I am overanalyzing everything. My Christian story is special. It's special because it's special to God. It's not the drama or action of a story that makes it powerful in God's eyes. Instead, it's the love that God has for us in offering that salvation and forgiveness in the first place that makes our journey to Him special. These people want to hear about how I fell in love with God, how I surrendered my heart to his love. If I tell them that, then I cannot say wrong.

Two more meetings to go. I'll make sure to wear extra deodorant.

My First Farewell

Today I was blessed to be able to assist my pastor in conducting a memorial service for an older parishioner who had died. I had never helped perform a memorial service and had only been to a handful of funerals. I had no idea what to expect. What I received was a blessed experience that helped me see what it means for people to appreciate and celebrate the life a person they loved who has gone to be with Christ.

Though there were several people present it didn't matter the number. What mattered was the sentiment they shared in their remarks about how that person, through their Christian example, was able to help them grow as Christians in their love of God and service to Christ. My pastor commented that this was the best comment of her life that we could make.

It made me immediately think of my life and the life of those close to me. I thought of my mother, without whom my vocation to the priesthood would never have occurred to me. I thought of my father and how he has hardened his heart over the years to God's love. It made me think of my own life, the long path I have ahead of me. It made me think of what I wanted people to think of me. I used to worry about being remembered as wealthy or famous or even "a good person". But really, I just want Christ to remember me when my time comes. If people do remember me, then I want it to be as someone of faith who truly loved everyone he met. As you can see, I have lots of work to do!