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December 2nd.
2009
WORTHY
While the wonderful ladies, Ann Waltman, Cathy Durheim, Pat Branson,
Joyce Sullivan and Marion McClellan, are faithfully folding and
preparing this Resurrection Review which Alyne, our fabulous
administrative assistant, put numerous hours into preparing, I will be
sitting in a psychiatrist’s office.
Part of the journey from “election” to consecration and ordination is a
complete physical and a thorough psychological evaluation. Roughly 25
years ago as I was preparing for seminary it was a similar drill. This
time, however, I was sent the general questions that the psychiatrist
will be asking me. These very penetrating questions deal with every
thing from family of origin to finances, from issues around intimacy to
those associated with stress. And of course it includes the one I told
you about before: Is there anything presently or in your past if
discovered would cause an embarrassment to you, the Church or your
family?
I understand and appreciate the need as was explained to me by one wiser
than I, “It is just to make sure you are physically and emotionally fit
to be bishop.” Therein lies my wondering – what is “fit?” Does that mean
I am perfect? I am without blemish or sin? Then clearly I am not the
right person. Even the suggestion, always said as a compliment, that
this is a ‘promotion’, elevation, or ‘you deserve to be bishop’ makes me
very uncomfortable.
On the other hand if “fit” means, as we say quite appropriately in our
Service of Burial:Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your
own flock, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming –
that’s a different story. Even if “fit” means, as Monsignor Steiner in
his usual ribbing way reminded us at our Tri Parish Thanksgiving
Service: Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once,
temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, not a
drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome and not a lover of
money… (1 Timothy 3:1-3) I can live with that.
The bottom line for me is that I am neither “worthy” or deserving of
being a bishop because of who I am or what I have done. Yet, I tell you
from the core of my being that I believe God has called me to be the
next Bishop of Minnesota. Do I have gifts for ministry and experiences
that God has blessed me with that will assist me in this ministry?
Absolutely. Because as I have consistently and repeatedly “preached” and
attempted to live – it is not about us – it is about opening ourselves
to let God work through us.
Blessings,
The Rev. Brian N. Prior, Rector
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