Job Description

[poliphilo]

The work of a priest- any priest in any religion- is to stand at the edge of the world and point. She is there to remind everybody else that there is an edge. She is a sign. And that's why she wears distinctive clothes and lives apart.

Anything else she does- social work, political work, anything that implicates her in the business of the world- is an add-on and a distraction.

Comments

[queen-in-autumn.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm. . . Interesting perspective. I definitely agree that being on the edge and pointing to it is part of the work of a priest/ess -- but it seems to me that without also being engaged in the world in some way that is consistent with the basic tenets and values of her faith she and all that lies beyond the edge risk being labeled as irrelevant.

If a priest/ess does nothing but point to "out there" then it implies that the "out there" is not also "here with us." And it is. It must be if there is to be any point to spirituality.

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

Yes, the Edge! If I understand you correctly, then there is something wrong with most pastors' deathbed visits. They ought to be easing the passing by reminding the sick and suffering person that they are crossing over the edge to a better place, and that there is a big reward even for a rough crossing.
It is so easy to forget that when pain is in the picture...

[oakmouse]

Mrf. I have a couple of serious quibbles with this, in a friendly sort of way.

What about a priest/ess whose work is solely to serve the gods? Such priest/esses don't need to live apart or wear distinctive clothing, nor do they need to serve as signposts for other humans. Some of them do so, but it's a matter of their personal vocation rather than any external definition of their role. I say that from direct personal knowledge because I'm one of them myself. Some of us are there to *be* the edge: not to point to it but to participate in its manifestation. Some of us are there to be a hollow reed for the gods.

Also in the Rosicrucian tradition, which has been participated in by a good many clergy down through the years, one is specifically enjoined to wear the clothing habitual to the country in which you dwell, and to avoid distinguishing yourself from others by unusual dress or behavior. (I'm being a bit of a devil's advocate here, but I'm also a participant in that tradition, although not in a priestly context.)

So although I think you have a very good point about certain types of priest/ess, I don't think it's true of all of us or of all religions.

[sovay]

The work of a priest- any priest in any religion- is to stand at the edge of the world and point.

What made you start thinking about priests?