The Collect of St. Andrew, my ordination patron:
Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are called by your holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
But mark well this: it will not be for the greatest feats of homiletic art, the most astonishing efforts of building new churches, or for having your name on the lips of well-positioned citizens that you will be accounted as a good and faithful priest. No, these things always pass both from men’s minds and from the Church's deepest approval. It will be for the countless hours of honest prayer for, earnest counsel with, and patient tending to the needs and souls of those whom God has called you to serve that you will be remembered and approved by Christians and our God. These are the marks of a true laborer in our Lord’s Kingdom. At His bidding, and in His grace go, and do them. In so doing, you will glorify God who calls you into His service and draw men’s eyes from their fallen condition to their rightful calling and purpose. – from an Ordination Sermon
On this, the 16th anniversary of being ordained to the Sacred Priesthood, I continue to feel both deeply humbled and extraordinarily joyful in a calling I so imperfectly fulfill but so greatly love. Pray for me.
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