Priesthood: A Vocation

Christianity is the story of a carpenter being unconventionally qualified as a Priest. The world today tends to foster a false and over glorified notion of a Priest. They invariably attribute Priests with ordination. Story of Christ is the evidence that a priest is not determined by the virtue of ordination and vestments but by passion. Within thirty three years, the carpenter Jesus, turned the world upside down when the so called priests of the ages were of no avail. This gives a clarion call that Priesthood is something to do exclusively with vocation. Vocation is derived from the Latin word ‘vocare’ which means ‘to be called.’ The sense of being called is what matters ultimately and God’s call indubitably is unbiased. Priesthood is also about showing the nerve to be accountable. Book of Joshua 3: 1-17 explicitly proves this. We read there that the priests who carried the ark of God entered the divided waters of Jordan before the Israelites and stood there till the entire nation finished crossing. The valour shown in the midst of tribulations sets the hallmark of a Priest.

When did ordination become the dignified yardstick to qualify someone as Priest? When did visual enticements and lure of the vestments gain prominence over vocation? Martin Luther, the pioneer of Protestant Reformation, also the proponent of the 'Priesthood of all believers', opines,

No one should enter any religious order or the priesthood unless he or she is forearmed with this knowledge and understands that the works of monks and priests, however holy and strenuous they may be, do not differ in the sight of God from the works of the rustic labourer in the field or the woman going about her household tasks but that all works are measured before God by faith alone.

People should be taught that service to the Church in any capacity is in no way lesser than ordained ministry. A sweeper sweeping the Church premises and the one celebrating the Holy Eucharist are both Priests and share the same pedestal before God.

Today it is quite disheartening that Seminary has been relegated to a place where a lot of hassle is created concerning the aristocracy of Ordination. When we traverse the etymological roots of seminary we are fascinated to find out that it is derived from the Latin source ‘seminarium’ which means ‘seed’. Each seed is distinct; their needs and destiny as well. Some may yearn to become herbs, some shrubs and some others trees. Let each seed decide their own destiny; let nothing be imposed. Teachers should just facilitate them in their journey; after all education is not about the superimposition of perceptions on students rather education means ‘to bring out’ i.e. gurus bring out the asleep instincts in the student. Seminary should be a place where students discover their own theological eccentric vocation and not a precursor site for ordination.

The world desperately needs to be taught that priesthood is not something that could be confined to the four walls of a Church building. For such a time as this the Church itself is losing its veracity. I am reminded of a prayer by a guru, “God, I am going to the Church; I will come back and meet you.” The church being defined as an edifice itself is so problematic. Fr Bobby Jose Capuchin comments,

Church is a culture. Jews who journeyed through the desert with the ark of God were its formulators. The ark of God sojourned with them during day and rested in their midst during night. Before the ark of God, they dined, men and women made love, children were born, cradles were made…then one fine day they found this ark of God to be intrusive in their privacy and decided to build an edifice for God. They then said to the ark of God kept in the new edifice, “Do not be dismayed, we will pay you a visit whenever we get time”. Thus a continual worship became worship of gaps.

The ordained priests should decipher the true meaning of their vestments. I was really intrigued to have come across an article by Michal Lubowicki, entitled, ‘A Cassock: Work Clothes, not a Dress Uniform’. I would like to mention few excerpts.

Wearing a cassock can and should be a form of prayer in itself… Pockets: The deep ones are meant to store all the things you will share with others. Always have something to give away to the needy and children. Remember that they will appreciate a little money, your smile, and a word of solace more than your impeccable hymn singing….. An inside breast pocket: It is not meant for holding an expensive pen. Carry in it letters you do not know how to answer, notes with the names of those you have promised to pray for, other people’s bills you have decided to pay, addresses you know should be visited, as their occupants will never come to you on their own, pictures of dogs, cats, grandchildren, and people in love as well as tree leaves and drawings nursery students have offered you. Keep this pocket filled at all times…. May you always stumble on it when you are led astray….Sleeves can be rolled up. The cuff reminds you that a cassock is no dress uniform, but work clothes…. I sincerely wish that your cassock would show white salt marks: the ones on the back will be the signs of your sweat, the ones on the chest will be the marks of tears, both yours and those who, hugged by you… Do not be afraid to crumple and soil your cassock, coming to the rescue of the needy and wounded. Do not hesitate to tear it up to make bandage and dressing for human wounds. Remember that, if need be, it can be converted into a cloak or a tent.

Lent is a time to re-imagine our vocation. May each of us foster our asleep priesthood vocation. You need not be ordained but your service in any capacity for the emancipation of the Church would qualify you a Priest.  I conclude narrating a true incident

Once a man who was in-charge of an Old age home was invited to address a gathering of Priests. He fearlessly and unabashed made a comment which many found offensive but I find it heart touching. He said, “The hands of mine which have cleaned the feces of the parents abandoned by their children are holier than your hands which celebrate the Holy Eucharist.” Thus Priesthood is indeed a vocation having much more to do with ordination. 

Let us Pray

God who calls, may we identify your call for priesthood. As your Son journeyed from the sacrificial elements to being a sacrifice himself which qualified him a Priest may we also have the nerve to tread this path undeterred. For Christ’s sake we pray. Amen

Prayers

Dn. Basil Paul