Come Holy Spirit
Last Saturday is almost a blur... so fast it passed, but so special. I was ordained a priest - as awkward as that sounds "coming from my lips." The moment was neither surreal nor elevated - neither was it mundane. I suppose I'm still working out what emotions I felt and am feeling; I'm realizing that to be ordained is not an event - it's a journey.
Wednesday night, after flying back to Honolulu, I had to lead a conversation about confirmation and ordination: hands and Holy Spirit. We talked so long about confirmation that we didn't talk very much about ordination, but I think it is important to recognize the call of all Christians to a mature commitment to follow Christ, their own recognition of their gifts from the Holy Spirit, and empowerment by the Spirit for the building up of the Body of Christ. I'm meditating on both as I look towards celebrating Eucharist tomorrow at the Parish of St. Clement, Honolulu. On the liturgical calendar, tomorrow is the third Sunday of Advent (Gaudate!). Seven years ago tomorrow, on the liturgical calendar - the third Sunday of Advent - I was confirmed by Bishop Chip Marble. And, tomorrow the church will celebrate with me, formally, my ordination to the priesthood. Timing calls me to contemplate both moments of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church!
