JUNE192023

Forty-seven years ago my classmates and I chose as the theme for our ordination to the priesthood a quotation from St. Paul”s second letter to the Corinthians: in everything we commend ourselves as ministers of God .. in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love, in truthful speech, in the power of God. All these years later it still seems like the kind of ministry to aspire to: one of love, truth and the power that comes from the Holy Spirit. What has changed is my perception of how to live out those values. The power of God is the power of the cross, of surrender, of humility, of compassion. The truth is not a matter of clear and distinct ideas as in philosophy but something which one discovers in relationship with God, the people woven into our lives and interaction with the world. Love is all embracing — since God loves everyone unconditionally a minister of God can do no less. I strive to live up to Paul’s lofty standard all these years later.