RBWords

 

    

     I recently attended the ordination to the priesthood of two of our Dominican student brothers [seminarians].  It was a joyful occasion, made all the more joyful for me by the fact that one of them was a student parishioner of mine at Tulane before entering the Dominican order later on.  I don't recall that my theology curriculum in the seminary resembled Jesus' instructions to the disciples in today's gospel, but I'm sure that at some point the text itself was studied when I and they took scripture!  I pray they will keep it in mind because the dangers of "power" are many.

 

     Newly graduated medical doctors and lawyers soon learn that the public expects much of them and their colleagues expect little!  Perhaps their older and experienced, and hopefully wiser, colleagues remember how much they had to learn in a very short time AFTER professional preparation.  One of those important lessons is to learn how to truly CARE for people.  The "power" conferred by the sacrament of Holy Orders is awesome, but the "status" conferred is dangerous!  It takes time to develop the pastoral wisdom that allows one to appreciate the public "respect" while recognizing that occasionally hard choices must be made that might cause that public to be disappointed!  Some of those "demons" the disciples encountered have a way of making demands that challenge the sacred!

 

     Those who emphasize the cultic [sacramental/ritual] side of ministry and those who emphasize the ministry outside liturgical events must learn that the demands of both require a lifetime balancing act and that some demons will not respond to their efforts!  Sometimes the knowledge that one's name is "written in heaven" will be all that one has!  I hope that the introduction my newly ordained brothers receive from the "University of the Pew Folk" will be gentle, wise and loving!  AMEN