It is not quite midnight

Nonetheless, in a few minutes it will be the 8th of December, so I shall write as though it already were.

Seventeen years ago today in Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, the Rt Rev William E Swing ordained me to the sacred order of priests. I give thanks for that grace and tremble at that responsibility. One thing I recall from that day was being utterly at peace amid the momentousness of it.

It was some time later that I "landed my first full-time job" in the church (ecclesiastical language seems too fancy). When the Bishop came to institute me as rector of St Cuthbert's, Oakland, it was a rather overwhelming event. When the time came for me to kneel before the altar and recite the following prayer, I had a powerful sense of the presence of Cuthbert of Lindisfarne hovering over the altar, along with the hosts of heaven and God's own Self. This was personal.

It took me some time to get through the prayer. I choked up a lot and could barely speak. Today I commit myself anew.

O Lord my God, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; yet you have called your servant to stand in your house, and to serve at your altar. To you and to your service I devote myself, body, soul, and spirit. Fill my memory with the record of your mighty works; enlighten my understanding with the light of your Holy Spirit; and may all the desires of my heart and will center in what you would have me do. Make me an instrument of your salvation for the people entrusted to my care, and grant that I may faithfully administer your holy Sacraments, and by my life and teaching set forth your true and living Word. Be always with me in carrying out the duties of my ministry. In prayer, quicken my devotion; in praises, heighten my love and gratitude; in preaching, give me readiness of thought and expression; and grant that, by the clearness and brightness of your holy Word, all the world may be drawn into your blessed kingdom. All this I ask for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

--Paul+