priests A PRIEST needs to be able to laugh at himself and at the joys and absurdities of the world. To laugh is to acknowledge a gift from God. Lea este artículo en español en VocacionCatolica. org. Read this article in Spanish at VocacionCatolica. org.
What does it take to be a good priest? Being a priest is an awesome honor and responsibility. To be of service to others is to be a channel of God’s grace, and that is the heart of this special vocation.
BY
FATHER JIM KENT, O.F.M. CONV.
A
FEW YEARS AGO I was at a reunion of extended family members I don’t often see. While talking to my cousin and her husband, their 7-year-old came and sat on his lap. At a break in our conversation, little Megan leaned toward me and said: “You’re the priest, right?” “That’s me.” “Good,” she said and her eyes flared with anticipation. “Tell me everything
Father Jim Kent, O.F.M. Conv. is a Conventual Franciscan Friar. He has served as vocation director for the Province of Our Lady of Consolation for 12 years. He now also serves as vicar provincial. 64
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you know about God.” I was overwhelmed by the wonder and hunger of this 7-year-old. Of course, there was not enough time—now or then—to tell her everything I knew about God. And her asking reminded me that what I know about God will always be quite limited. But as a priest I’m committed to learning all I can about our God and then sharing it with others, especially through the sacraments. To be a good priest starts first and foremost with that relationship with God—to learn and experience as much as possible, to love and be loved by a God who is both immanent—with us— and intimate and transcendent—beyond us—and all-knowing. It’s an ongoing and VISION 2007
VocationGuide.org
6/8/2006 7:52:03 AM
