Priesthood: A most amazing ride
Monday, July 19, 2010
Father Luis A. Rivero
Well gang, it’s been some time now and the journey I embarked on 10 years ago has come to a conclusion. Nonetheless, it’s not over yet! These past 10 years, as mentioned in my previous blog posts, were filled with many detours, flat tires, rest stops and so on. As with children, the melodic chant of “are we there yet?” echoed throughout my many years of formation. Most importantly, those years were mostly marked with countless blessings and many graces that only God can offer.
While it may seem like the journey has concluded, it would be erroneous to assume that. Rather, I would like to continue the road trip analogy, using something most of us Floridians can identify with: a trip to central Florida; the place from which our “father in faith,” Archbishop Thomas Wenski, has come back home to us. Perhaps our destination is one of the many amusement parks. It is precisely the time that we have spent at the amusement parks that I would like for you to recall.
Perhaps this is the best image I can offer you to understand what I have been living these past months, since my ordination to the priesthood of Jesus Christ this past May 8. If you recall your first visit to any of the amusement parks in Orlando, you would most likely recall the awe and child-like amazement that caught your attention everywhere you turned. Perhaps you were a child — but adults, it seems, in that geographical area are permitted to be kids again. So was it a specific attraction or a certain performance that caught your attention? Maybe the cleanliness or the mere fact that people from all over the globe come to see the many man-made apparatus which shake, drop, frighten, excite or incite joy in you. Whatever it may have been, or continues to be, this feeling is similar to the experience I have had these past few months. If you’ve read this far, bear with me…
As you may already know, I have been entrusted to walk and share life with the wonderful parish community of St. Agnes in Key Biscayne. From the moment of my arrival, I have been welcomed with great joy and wonderful disposition. Everywhere I turn there is something new, exciting, and amazing that catches my attention. There is always some situation that is new and which promises a wonderful experience. As a priest, I have been able to share in the great joy of the families that make up this community, and some who live off the Island Paradise. I have also been able to walk with and carry the burden of times of great difficulty and challenge, which we all face in our lives — for it would be erroneous to believe that all is fine and dandy in an amusement park. Yet the good Lord, from whom all comes, time and time again calls us back to turn to Him in both the moments of great difficulty and those of joy.
While the time I have been ordained a priest of Jesus Christ hasn’t been long, I can tell you that everything is new and filled with the beauty of Christ. Everywhere I turn I am able to recognize Him because it is because of Him that I am here and because of Him that all the many situations and people I encounter on a daily basis are given to me by Him.
These past two months, and the many years in preparation for ministry, are very much like the killer roller coaster in the amusement park. This is the one attraction in which everyone is amazed: How is it possible that someone invented it and how can it operate? The very same can summarize my experience: the one and greatest difference is that this roller coaster is one that I will ride time and time again, never get bored of, and enjoy more and more each time. Not only will I submit myself once, twice and an infinity of times, I would also encourage all those who are able, gentlemen, to get on!
Furthermore, I would encourage all to jump on and accompany us, for we priests need you also to share with us the journey towards sanctity! So, how are you amazed and amused by our good God? Also, how are you accompanying your parish priest on this, his, yours and my journey?
Comments from readers
Thank you for sharing this article about the priesthood with us. Let me venture as well into the comparisons that you have so well mastered. Allow me to compare your Sacrament, the Holy Orders with ours, the Matrimony. There is a beautiful parallel between these two Sacraments that the Catechism group under the name of Sacraments at the Service of Communion. They both are directed toward love, service, and commitment for the salvation of others.
As I read your comments, I couldn't help but to think in my early years of marriage… that time that everyone calls the "honeymoon". Unfortunately and fortunately, the honeymoon promptly fades and comes a time of dissolution…. married couples enter in a period of questioning their decision and even the person that they have chosen as spouse. Also, they question themselves and how they have failed in fulfilling the concept they had as a husband or a wife. That's the moment they have to stop and think about their vows… of loyalty and permanency. Couples have to realize that love is not a feeling that comes today and disappears tomorrow. Love is a decision. It is not just the "yes" exchanged during the wedding ceremony but the eternal "yes" of the whole married life.
One day, I may feel that I am very resentful with my wife because what she did or said to me… however, regardless of my feelings I made the decision to love her. This is when couples can pass from the dissolution phase into one of a mature and committed love.
Father, I encourage you and other priests to consider how similar your ups and downs are to those of us married couples. Priests need to recognize as well that occasionally they will have doubts and questionings, moments of loneliness and dryness… of silence… what some saints call "la noche oscura". That is when priests have to remember, as well as married couples, that they one day said "yes" to the call the Lord made to them for a very special way to live their vocation. That "yes" was, and still is, the result of a decision and not of a feeling. Your "yes" supports ours and hopefully ours shall support yours as well.
God bless you father Luis.
Neida....
Fr. Hernando is still here thanks be to God. You're absolutely right in your assessment and he's a joy to work with and live this amazing ride. He's one that has ridden the roller coaster many times and one whom I look up to.
Juan....
Thank you for your kind words and constant support.
Lenny....
I can vividly remember your first Carnival at St. Tim's while my time there was limited because of other obligations I have always followed your growth in His vineyard very closely. Thank you for your Yes and your humble service in this, God's Amusement Park.
Br. Richard...
Always a good friend! Thank you for taking the time to read and respond. Also thank you for your Yes and example at His service!
Lucia....
Thank you for your kind words, but as I tell all who praise, I hope you also tell me if I am off target!!! I will relay your regards.
"Momma"
Thank you for your very kind words! Thank you for your support of the priesthood! Why wait for Heaven?!? Lets start to Rejoice Now!!! We can continue in Heaven!!!
Thomas...
Thank you fir your generous words. Whenever you want to meet come on over to KeyBiscayne, its beautiful here. As I always say the Holy Spirit knows not the meaning of rest!!!! Thank you for your prayers and support.
Praise God!! You sound like a "breath of fresh air" to all of us in the Archdiocese of Miami. For many years now I have equated the priesthood to a roller coaster, up to the top with weddings, the birth and baptisms of babies, and many other joys. And down with the painful struggles of your parishoners as you unite their disppointments and struggles with yours and those of Jesus. May your priesthood bring many to the Lord and may we all REJOICE one day in HEAVEN together. Amen! In His love, peace and joy always, along with perseverance in the priesthood.
Lucia Mor