What Makes a Priest?
Posted on Nov 15th, 2006
by 
Alkhemist
Alkhemist
Ordination? Apostolic Succession? Ecclesiastical Sanction?
Phooey. I think.
If one is called to help others develop their spiritual life, and if one can do absolutely nothing else, why on Earth (or anywhere else) would that person need to join a line of Apostolic Succession? I wonder if any these lines can be proven. Does this "lying on of hands" make any difference in the life of a priest?
I waffle back and forth between considering going back to seminary and getting a "real" ordination to being true to my Self and continuing on as I have. More than anything, I want to share with others the Spirit that I've found, and come together in acknowledgement of the Divine in a way that fulfills all our hearts.
All of us know what to do in any given situation. Somewhere, deep down in our souls, we know exactly what our next move should be. Much of the time, though, we don't like to listen because doing what we "ought" sometimes leads in a less-than-exciting, or less-than-pleasant, direction. Yet this time, I am truly stumped. There is a part of my spiritual life that is not being fulfilled, and I don't know why I feel this way.
I need to be true to myself; otherwise, I'm no priest. I know, deep down, that only God can ordain. It's a conversation between the Holy One and the heart of Her priest. Ultimately, no matter which direction I choose to go in, it's up to me to make sure that I'm being true to my own Gnosis.
Phooey. I think.
If one is called to help others develop their spiritual life, and if one can do absolutely nothing else, why on Earth (or anywhere else) would that person need to join a line of Apostolic Succession? I wonder if any these lines can be proven. Does this "lying on of hands" make any difference in the life of a priest?
I waffle back and forth between considering going back to seminary and getting a "real" ordination to being true to my Self and continuing on as I have. More than anything, I want to share with others the Spirit that I've found, and come together in acknowledgement of the Divine in a way that fulfills all our hearts.
All of us know what to do in any given situation. Somewhere, deep down in our souls, we know exactly what our next move should be. Much of the time, though, we don't like to listen because doing what we "ought" sometimes leads in a less-than-exciting, or less-than-pleasant, direction. Yet this time, I am truly stumped. There is a part of my spiritual life that is not being fulfilled, and I don't know why I feel this way.
I need to be true to myself; otherwise, I'm no priest. I know, deep down, that only God can ordain. It's a conversation between the Holy One and the heart of Her priest. Ultimately, no matter which direction I choose to go in, it's up to me to make sure that I'm being true to my own Gnosis.
Access: Public
apostolic
March 2008 