The Feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist is my third day here at Bishop White Seminary and my first day as a blogging seminarian. So much has prepared me to come here, and so much petty, quotidian work has gone into realizing the beginnings of my formation that it is good to begin with a feast that reminds me of why I am here at all.
St. John is called by Our Lord the greatest man born of woman. He was an exemplary ascetic, first to announce the mission of redemption to the world, and blood relative of Jesus. But he was killed by a venal despot who was too proud to break a drunken oath to a dancing girl. Such is the world in which God has placed His Church. However, John is remembered by the Church with honor and Herod Antipas is known to history almost entirely as the man who murdered John the Baptist. This is not to say that the goal of Christians is to achieve immortality through great renown like Beowulf. Rather, it is a reminder that the reward of Christ is not a reward in this life. For this reason, men all over the world take the oaths of the priesthood to renounce the natural, lawful pleasures of human life in a sacrifice which proclaims their faith in the life that is to come.
In that same hope, so many people have given their time, money, and prayers to support me in discerning the still, small voice of God calling me to this place of formation. St. John's example reminds me that I am not preparing for a life whose success can be measured in praise and reward. As the months and years ahead come and go, you can keep up with me here as I am prepared for the oaths of the Altar of God, and as I continue to listen for the gentle call of Christ. Please pray for me that I will respond generously to His call, embracing with love the sacrifices and suffering that are necessary for the sanctification of the world, and know that I gratefully pray for all of you.
PS. Look for photos, and perhaps less-serious posts, in the next few days!
