Reflections from the Heart – November 3, 2024

“It was fitting that we should have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens.” I recall a life-changing conversation with a Passionist Nun that took place early in my formational, instructional years as a seminarian that struck me, convicted me, confronted me and still till this day remains a great source of amazing grace for me in these formational years of priesthood. In our faith-filled dialog, Sister Immaculata pierced me with a holy gaze, looked me in the face then into my eyes and said, “We need you to be a good and holy priest.” I tried to make light of it and jokingly responded, “Sister, it is enough and difficult to be good, you want me to be holy as well?” This beautiful angel in a very much commanding tone and voice responded, “I am serious, the people of God need you to be a good and holy priest.” Good gracious. She was dead serious. However, in that nervous way we tend to react when we face uncomfortable situations or are simply not ready or ill equipped to respond, I was hoping she was joking or kidding, but she was very serious. This was a need, not a want. I had to ponder and consider not a request but a necessity, as one that needed a cup of water in a parched desert land or needed to take a life-saving breath of fresh air after being enclosed or in a prison for what must seem to be an eternity or a very long time. I could hear scripture cry out: he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, “Be holy because I am holy.” The words resonated as an echo chased away and a void filled with truth again. Like a seed planted in creation, watered in baptism, nurtured in faith, taking hold and taking root now springs forth blossoming, sprouting into a great reality and desire, “Be holy, for I, the LORD your God, am holy.” I would hear the voice of many people, various beloved children of God from all ages and time and spaces and places repeat Sister’s words “We need you to be a good and holy priest.” I can jokingly wonder how and when they would have met Sister Immaculata along the way and how many other people her spirit would bring to me to remind me of God’s desire, his call and need of you and of me.