Homily before ordination to the priesthood (Matthew 7.21-end)
Originally given 23 June 2022 at St. Alban’s Church, Coventry
Yesterday was St. Alban’s day, the day we remember the martyrdom of Alban. Tomorrow is the festival remembering the birth of John the Baptist. Yesterday, today, and Saturday are the three Ember days for this season. So I really have a plethora of topics to preach on, but leading up to today, all I could think about is that the next time I preach in this church I will be a priest.
When I met with the Bishop a few weeks ago, we reminded each other that though we might become priests and bishops, we are still always deacons. I think St. Alban and John the Baptist could be used as models for what it means to be a deacon. St. Alban was so committed to spreading the gospel message that he sacrificed himself to save a priest who he thought would be able to go on to bring Christianity to more people. John the Baptist specifically came to prepare the way for Jesus Christ, teaching people how to live and encouraging people to follow Christ. While I wouldn’t recommend martyrdom, I think deacons should dedicate themselves to spreading the Gospel, and in spreading the Gospel message they make way for the love of Christ in people’s hearts. And as I go on retreat next Thursday, the days leading to my ordination into the priesthood will be a form of ember days, days taken to cleanse, to reflect, to pray that I come closer to God. So, tick, tick, tick; I’ve just managed to hit all three topics.
But thinking of St. Alban and John the Baptist and how they speak to being a deacon, I wondered, if deacons bring the Gospel to the world, what more are priests called to do? A few days ago on the school run, a drunk woman asked me if I could forgive her. I said, ‘of course you’re forgiven!’ I didn’t think 9am on a Tuesday with a drunk stranger was the appropriate time or place to discuss my ability to bless things and not people for the next week and a half. When I was practicing presiding for the Eucharist, Zoe talked about the Bishop giving me ‘magic hands’. While I do enjoy Harry Potter, I’m not entirely convinced of the reality of magic. So what sets priests apart? Is it blessing people or supernatural body parts? Definitely something to ponder, especially as I look to the next step of my ministry.
The reading today says the people were astounded by Jesus’s teaching. But it had less to do with the content and more with the delivery. They took note that Jesus spoke with authority. So perhaps, in order to be a good priest, all I have to do is kick my imposter syndrome and tell people like it is. Though I’m not convinced that’s what is meant by speaking with authority. I think speaking with authority means knowing in your heart the truth of the Gospel. Knowing that every person you meet is a beloved child of God. Speaking with authority means bringing others closer to Christ, not only with words of instruction, but also with actions of justice. Speaking with authority means recognising that I have been set apart to do God’s will, and accepting all the joys and challenges that brings. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I would say it takes a parish to nurture a priest. So I ask for your prayers, especially over the next two weeks, for all of us responding to God’s call to ordination, that we may step forward into our new roles with the authority of the love of Christ.
Reflections of a Christian 