This past Sunday was the twenty-seventh anniversary of my ordination to the Sacred Order of Priests in Christ's One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, and I still feel as if I'm just beginning to get an idea of what to do. Being a priest is not only my job and part of my identity -who I am- but according to the teaching of the Church since the earliest times, it's an aspect of my very being, my ontology. Baptism, Confirmation, and Matrimony change us just as deeply and irrevocably.
So, being a priest, and a parish priest at that, what's my job?
My foremost job is to study the Bible, just as study of the Holy Scriptures is every Christian's primary task. Since I'm the main preacher at Trinity Church, my task is easier, since it's a big part of a major assignment which comes due for me every Sunday morning. As well, I have to study other parts of the Bible, as well, so that I can better understand and address what God is saying to me, us, and the world. So, I've immersed myself in the sources of the Judaeo-Christian tradition, which are Jewish! And my study has been in the primary texts, the Tanach (Old Testament), Talmud, the early and later commentators, and especially the Hasidic movement which revivified Jewish life since the 18th century.
Sermon prep: I start by reading material from my own library on Monday, and then as the week foes on graduate to checking out various often obscure commentaries on the internet, then finally read several sermons on the same readings. I basically do that for all my Bible studies.
Second, my job is to be a man of prayer, and keep my connection with Jesus Christ as open as possible, 24/7. This is true of everyone, as well. Ideally, I suppose that three sessions of prayer, meditation, and contemplation of one and a half hours each would be best. Unfortunately, apart from the demands of ordinary daily life, I'm not able to discipline myself to do that outside of a retreat environment, though if I really, really put my mind to that it would probably be possible. So, I try to pray all the time, instead. While talking to people, listening, reading, driving, I make an effort to keep the words “Jesus remember me” revolving around and around in my heart by repeating the phrase in the back of my mind at all time. While doing that, I put my mind in my heart, and spiritually stand before God... even while sitting down!
Since I can think about two things at the same time, -most people can, and do- like working on this Rector's Rumination and simultaneously consider the best moment to get up from my seat and make some tea, I can use the back part of my mind, where trivial thoughts mysteriously arise and dissipate, to do something really useful, like pray. Doing that, a person can pray pretty much continuously, not losing sight of the presence of God.
The third part of my job is to be a spiritual teacher, to be a guide for others through the jungle of this world. Alas, I'm not always perfect in my discernment and understanding, and so must constantly make a supreme effort to grow in understanding and wisdom, and encourage everyone I deal with to decide what they, not I, think is best.
Though I've known some of the great spiritual personalities of the 20th century, I keep in mind that the fact that the only true guide is certainly not them or me, but the Holy Spirit living in the hearts of His people and that we all are only a fallible resource, is the best perspective. Being a spiritual teacher takes place everywhere... at SPD Market, on Broad Street in Nevada City, at Caroline's Coffee in Grass Valley, or the Tack Room in Penn Valley.
Being a spiritual teacher is not only my job, it's the job of every Christian person. Your every interaction with another person (nothing is left out when I write this) is your spiritual teaching. Your life is supposed to be a signpost on the road to Jesus. Your life points toward Him.
Sometimes that teaching requires conversation. I wait for the right opportunity (which generally comes sooner than later), and then interject a question about the person's past encounters with God. The conversation then goes on from the position of something they've already experienced, not me talking about a topic about which they've only heard rumors.
C.S. Lewis mentioned somewhere that much of our spiritual teaching is not about words, but it's done in the context of who we are as people. One of the most common criticisms of Christianity by non-Christians is that we say one thing and do another. That's true, but all religious and non-religious people are hypocrites. No one can live the tenets of their belief system perfectly. It's our duty, however, to at least try to do so! The most important part of anyone's spiritual teaching is how they live. As St. Francis of Assisi once remarked, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.”
Also, I'm supposed to be communicating intellectual information as a facet of my job. I study constantly! Ask my wife or kids. Having an important 'assignment' (which is to say, my sermon) which is due every Sunday at 8 AM is a big incentive. The information I convey is expected to point pack to the source, and not stray from the spiritual Truth which was handed down from us from the Holy Apostles, from the extraordinary men and women of our faith, the Saints, and the teachings of the Ancient Undivided Church. Keeping to that principle makes what is taught reliable.
Information can be expressed in new ways, perhaps, but it must not wander far from the headwaters of the River of God. That's why I describe myself as orthodox, neither 'Conservative' or 'Liberal'. I'm not afraid of change in the least, but I won't tamper with what has been handed down from the Apostles into my weak hands just because I don't understand it. Drink from the Source, where the water is freshest, and in the middle of the stream, to avoid pollutants coming from the riverbanks.
Finally, the Church from the very beginning has set apart certain people to act on behalf of everyone in performing the ABCs... Absolving, Blessing, and Consecrating. Pronouncing God's forgiveness to His penitent People (Absolution), Blessing them in the Name of the Holy Trinity, and Consecrating and performing the Sacraments of the Church, which are outward and visible signs of God's inward and spiritual grace.
These are most often expressed in liturgical (ritualized) actions of the Church, and have since the earliest times been lead by Bishops and Priests. They consecrate Bread and wine, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, they Baptize, Bless God's people, their homes, and objects used in the Christian life, and effect permanent changes in people's lives through Baptism, Marriage, the Sacrament of Healing (anointing with oil), exorcise (with permission of the Bishop, of course), assuring God's Absolution of sins toward those who repent, and participate, on behalf of the whole Church, in the Ordination of the three Orders of Sacramental Ministry... Bishops, Priest, and Deacons, though it is only Bishops who ordain.
However, keep in mind in an emergency anyone can Baptize, and certainly any time any Christian can hear another person's Confession to Christ, give guidance, and reassure that person's of God's love and forgiveness. Any Christian can lay hands on another person and pray for his or her healing.
As a matter of fact, most of what I do is something everyone else at Trinity Church could and should be doing right now, as well. Parents should bless their children individually every night before they go to bed, for example. Just make the sign of the Cross on their foreheads and say 'God bless you and keep you.' Every person can and should be a guide to others, and also preach the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ in all aspects of daily life. As a matter of fact, I can think of lots of people at Trinity who do this!Every Christian is a Priest in prayer, standing with upraised hands before the resplendent Face of God Himself in intercession for others and the whole world.
The Bible tells us that we are are all Kings (noble by our Birthright as God's adopted children) and Priests. And since He has made us so, let's all do our best to live out that reality.
Oh, yes, and another job I have is as an administrator, but that's not really in the job description set forth in the Ordination rite, but it takes up some of my time. Thanks be to God we have several better administrators at Trinity!
Jesus has called everyone at Trinity Church to be His ministers, not just me. I couldn't even begin to do it all. Thank you for being my co-workers in the Fields of the Lord, and for being my friends.
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