"Iron Sharpens Iron"
Written for the August 20, 2017 bulletin at Saint Stephen, East Grand Rapids.
Unarguably, the biggest influences on any man (that I know) who is discerning priesthood are the priests that have affected his life. For me, this is also true. But perhaps a close second is the support and example of friends and peers, their insight into their own lives and/or their advice to me for my own life, which points me to the path Christ has set for me.
I can think of an important few from this parish:
I think of EJ Sullivan who, although he may not know it, has been an important example to me of Christian friendship and hospitality.
I think of Ethan Tipping, whose dedication to his Christian faith and ability to abide by the virtues instilled in him by his Creator has been an inspiration to me in my own life since I met him.
And I reflect on the large impact that Alec Winden has had on my ability to sort out the many idols of my life and discern which calls come from Almighty God; helping me more than almost anyone else to abide by St. Paul’s exhortation to “not conform … to this age but [to] be transformed by the renewal of ... mind, that [I] may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
To be honest, without peers and friends such as these, I would be no position to enter the rigorous discernment process of college seminary.
I praise God for these three and all those who have impacted and affected my life so greatly — but I also reflect on how I could have done better to foster more of these relationships. This is where I think youth ministry plays such a huge role. Forming relationships with brothers in the faith is an important step in the way towards priesthood; and, likewise, those bonds are essential to anyone discerning married or consecrated life. The Church has no greater tool than youth ministry to accomplish the goal of ensuring that every Christian finds their God-given vocation early in life; I pray that the whole Church will renew her dedication to this important part of her life and mission.
In Christ,
Max
