What have you learned from being a deacon?<\/strong><\/p>\nI never cease to be amazed, awed, humbled and challenged. God uses us in ways we may never have imagined. And the grace of Holy Orders continues to make the impossible possible. I sometimes wonder where I find the stamina, energy or imagination to do what I need to do. But as St. Paul reminded us, \u201cGod\u2019s grace is sufficient.\u201d More and more, I realize that being a deacon draws on that grace. It\u2019s a well that never runs dry.<\/p>\n
What is your image of God?<\/strong><\/p>\nHe is a lot more patient, tolerant, merciful and good-humored than we are. He delights in surprising us. I imagine he finds himself exasperated sometimes, but he never tires of waiting for us to come to our senses. And: He loves without limits, loving even those who do not love him or even believe in him. This is something most of us can\u2019t fathom because it\u2019s just not something most of us could manage. But, of course: That\u2019s why he\u2019s God and we\u2019re not.<\/p>\n
Who and what encourages you?<\/strong><\/p>\nI am genuinely moved by the fervor and faith of my wife. She prays with such utter sincerity and simplicity and trust. She\u2019s much more disciplined than I am. A day doesn\u2019t go by that she doesn\u2019t pray a full rosary, sometimes two or three. I want to be like her when I grow up.<\/p>\n
What advice would you offer men wanting to follow your example?<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen I began formation, after a very brief period of discernment, just a few weeks, I essentially said to God, \u201cOK. Here\u2019s the deal. You take the keys. You drive. We\u2019ll go as far as you want. If you want me to get out, fine. If you want me to make it to the end and be ordained, that\u2019s fine, too. But probably for the first time in my life, I\u2019m trusting you with this major life decision. You are literally in the driver\u2019s seat. Now, let\u2019s go.\u201d It seems to have worked out. If anyone is discerning a calling, my advice is simple: Give the keys to God and see where he wants to take you.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Continue\u00a0at the link.\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Some months back, my old friend Sister Camille D\u2019Arienzo got in touch and asked me if I\u2019d take part in her interview series for The National Catholic Reporter. I said sure. This week, they published\u00a0the results.\u00a0I\u2019d more or less forgotten about it until a friend tonight sent me the link. Snip:\u00a0 What have you learned […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":132,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-my-world-and-welcome-to-it"],"yoast_head":"\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n