Joy ride
Sixteen years ago, I drove down to the Basilica ( of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception) in DC on a Saturday morning. It was the most joyful “joy ride” I’ve ever taken. It was a gorgeous day with the car windows down, Christian music blaring, and occasional hooting and hollering from me. This wasn’t really noticed by anyone until I rolled into the Basilica’s parking lot and got some hard looks from a group of nuns. I then turned down the music and mellowed a bit before going into the Basilica. It was the day of my ordination, and inside I would be ordained a priest of Jesus Christ.
Ten men will have the same joy ride to the Basilica today although hopefully more controlled than mine. It’s like going to your wedding. You are so excited that after years of discernment and preparation, the big day is finally here. But as I say at weddings, it is not a finish line; it is a starting line. While it’s amazing just to be a priest, after ordination the work begins. Serving people like and as Jesus starts. You are now called “Father” even by people who are much older than you. They ask you to bless them and their spouses and children. They ask you to hear their sins and absolve them. They see you now as alter Christus (“another Christ”).
My slightly out of control ride to my ordination was the culmination of twelve years of painful yet purifying preparation. That’s twice as long as usual for a man after college to be ordained because I left seminary two times. Ordination day meant God’s Will as much as anything. I searched so long and deeply to know His Will for my vocation…to know for real. Once the bishop laid his hands on my head - just like exchanging the vows of marriage- then God’s Will was confirmed.
For those who search hard for His Plan especially with a vocation, it can be tough and painful. I promise you that He has a plan for your life. And if you remain faithful and open to Him, He will reveal it to you. You will one day have your joy ride. Do me and the nuns a favor and turn down the music and lower your speed a block before the church of your wedding, ordination, or religious vows.
