A Priest Life

Things happen that reveal that I’ve reached that elusive stage in life called “adulthood.” I’m not sure when that landmark was achieved, but I know it must be true after today:

I was invited to the local public school’s 6th grade career day.

The kids had tons of questions about my life as a priest. For some, it was their first encounter with a priest, and they were definitely intrigued. They asked questions about how I spend my day, how long I was in school, and about my time in Europe.

“Fr. Jeff, how much money do you make a year?”

The teacher and I laughed. I explained that I’m not in it for the money, but for the eternal joy that I experience in doing God’s will. Someone chimed in:

They pay isn’t that great, but the benefits are out of this world!

After class was over, three of the boys came up to me: “Life is a priest sounds really cool! You make me want to be a priest!”

Score.

“You must be so proud!”

Indeed, I am. Tonight, we celebrated the sacrament of confirmation in our parish. It brought me a great sense of joy since I was the confirmation catechist for our parish. Each Wednesday, we spent 90 minutes discussing the beauty of the world and our faith.

As the bishop anointed each with chrism, I smiled at the invisible reality that took place. God sealed the work that was begun at baptism.

“You must be so proud!” our confirmation director said to me at the reception.

“Yes,” I replied,

I’m a proud Father!

I spent some time in the 8th grade religion class speaking about the great beauty of icons. They marveled at the beauty of the icons I brought and shared some beautiful insights of their own.

On my way out, I passed through the cafeteria. Pre-K was eating.

“Fr. Jeff!! What’s in the bag??” they shrieked in unison.

“I have some pictures of Jesus.”

Their next demand fulfilled my day, and my priesthood:

show us Jesus!

Today, I arrived in Washington D.C. for the Our Lady Immaculate Catholic School 8th grade trip. Since my plane arrived earlier than the rest of the group, I had a chance to visit with one of my classmates.

We were catching up on the joys of being new priests.

“How do you like priesthood?” I asked.

He thought for a moment:

This life allows me to value one day more than I used to.

Priesthood: expect the unexpected.

I think about that saying quite a bit. Today, it’s perfect.

Sitting at my desk, I was working furiously on the tasks that need to be completed before I leave this weekend for Washington D.C. with the 8th graders from our school.

A knock came at my door: “There’s a woman here who would like to speak to you.”

Walking into the foyer, I greeted her with a smile. She had a few tears in her eyes, so we moved into my office.

“I just came to say thank you. I’ve felt so touched by the people here who have helped me and my family through our tough times that I just wanted to stop in and thank you for all that you all have done.”

Unexpected, yet delightful.

Back at my desk, I picked up where I left off.

Then my phone rang. “This isn’t a good time,” I murmured to myself as I brought it to my ear.

“Hello?”

“Jeff? I’ve got a problem I need you to help me with. I’ve got two plates of food for lunch, but I can only eat one of them since I’m on a diet. Could you come help me take care of one?”

It was a pastor from one of the local Southern Baptist churches.

Since I’ve moved to Jennings, I have run into him on a number of occasions at some of the local cafes. I always enjoyed his company, so the prospect of lunch with him was delightful. And completely unexpected.

I met up with him just down the street. We shared stories from ministry, reflections on theology, and insights into the spiritual life. Finally, after two hours at the table, we realized that we both needed to get back to our duties.

Reflecting on Your gifts today, You only reinforced that motto for priesthood. I had my own plans. And they were boring.

But thanks to Your infinite creativity, today was

delightfully unexpected.

Standing in front of everyone at the Knights of Columbus meeting, I was preparing to begin our prayer service.

“I’ve never done this before! I guess this is part of being newly ordained!” I smiled as everyone in the hall laughed.

I’ve had the opportunity to witness a new marriage on several occasions, but this was different. The Knights had invited me to their meeting to lead them in the blessing and renewal of their wedding vows.

As I led them in prayer, I was struck by the beauty of this particular encounter. Standing before me wasn’t men and women who were being married for the first time. Rather, these were men and women who had been through it all: good times and bad, sickness and health, for better and for worse.

With some tears and a lot of smiles, the spouses reaffirmed their commitment to one another.

Then a man from the back yelled, “Can I kiss my bride!?”

Everyone laughed.

But deep down, his exclamation resonated the true nature of marriage. For richer and poorer, through the good times and bad, through the sickness and health–through it all–

love endures.

Before today’s First Communion the kids were excited, to say the least.

I was talking to the guys before Mass started: “Are ya’ll ready?”

One of them shouted as he looked at me with a huge smile, “Fr. Jeff, I was made for this!”

Immediately, his friend turned and corrected him:

We were all made for this!

“This Easter, I have a feeling, is going to be something special.” I remember one of classmates saying that as we talked about entering into our first Triduum as priests.

All day long, the question has been the same: “Fr. Jeff, how was your Easter?”

The calling of the priest is to proclaim the great mystery of God’s love. With the proclaiming of that mystery comes the satisfaction and joy of a vocation-fulfilled.

Each time the question was asked, my answer was the same, too: it’s

the greatest joy I have ever known. 

Good Friday is a day of great love. We celebrate the great mystery of the Redemption won by the Cross.

For the second time during this Holy Week, I found myself in the role of Jesus during the reading of the Passion.

This time, it was from John.

It was one of those moments that You took advantage of. Standing in persona Christi capitis at the foot of the altar, You reminded me of my purpose in this new priestly life:

For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.

Climbing the ambo to proclaim tonight’s Gospel, my eye settled on its antiphon:

He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. –John 13:1

I smiled when I saw it. That was the verse from Scripture I placed on my holy card as a commemoration of my ordination to the priesthood. I chose it because it summarizes the model I wish to follow.

Your Gospel only affirmed that movement of my heart:

I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. –John 13:15

At the altar of repose, I spent my time reflecting on these words. You loved your own in the world; You gave me a share in your priesthood, that I might follow your example.

There, from the back of the room, I looked around. Seeing everyone, Your words were clear:

These are your own. Love them to the end.