In Spite Of Myself

[poliphilo]

The guy from church with the sensitive problem came round yesterday morning. I had hoped I'd have something to tell him, but I didn't- so I embarked on another round of calling ecclesiastical bods and speaking to secretaries and answerphones- and getting more and more irate- and (hopefully) not letting it show.

There was a time when the clergy were easy to get hold of. There was a big house within walking distance and you went and knocked on the door and....But I'm being unreasonable. There just aren't that many clergy these days- and those there are are run off their feet. It's not their fault.

Eventually- but by now it was late afternoon and the young man had gone- they started ringing me back. Nice people, helpful people- and I was able to arrange a meeting for this Sunday.

This is so weird. I'm not even really a Christian and here I am beavering away on the Church's behalf like a righteous gentile or something. And this stuff I'm involved in now isn't kid's stuff. It has the potential to draw me in deep.

I'm thinking of calling this journal A Priest In Spite of Himself.

Comments

[saare-snowqueen.livejournal.com]

I think that's a truer label than what you have now. I quite like the idea.

Once again, I would like to comment that the political body that has become the church since the early middle ages, has for too long defined what it means to be a Christian or a believer.... I think it's time those of us who have other ideas should speak up and be heard. Go Tony!!!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Eroticdreambattle is a translation of the title of the early renaissance Italian "novel" in which Poliphilo is the main character. I've lived with it so long now I'd be loathe to change it- but maybe I'll insert the alternative title onto my Info page somewhere.

[saare-snowqueen.livejournal.com]

Yes, I knew that. I just finished a so-so crime thriller, called 'The Rule of Four' which centres around some stolen documents related to The Hyperoticicaxxxx.

Two titles for the price of one - not a bad deal.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The second comes from Kipling- where it refers to the very worldly French statesman Talleyrand- who also happened to be a catholic Bishop.

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

I think that sounds like a great title for your journal. I think it's more descriptive of you the way you are - and have been, I think, since I've started reading your lj.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I think you're probably right.

But I don't think I'm ready to be defined by my "priestliness" quite yet. I do, after all, write about plenty of things that very little to do with that side of my persona.

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

YEs - well, I think I meant more like 'minister' because, Tony, you *minister* very well, to many people.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's very kind of you to say so :)

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

At risk of sounding "preachy" (am I a "preacher in spite of herself?") the Bible has something about "a holy priesthood" that is NOT referring to the ordained clergy. Jesus also said something about doing things "for the least of these". Perhaps your title should be "A Christian in spite of himself". There are so many avowed Christians who do NOT help others, yet that is their mission, so to speak, to be a priesthood and a ministry. It is my belief that true Christians practice the Great Commandment at all times to the best of their ability. From what I know of you, I would say that you fit the profile - like Abou Ben Adhem, perhaps?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I've always believed- as a Christian and as a Wiccan- in "the priesthood of all believers". I don't know whether that's a Biblical phrase or not, but I think it neatly encapsulates what Jesus- and Paul- were talking about.

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

That's it~!

[queen-in-autumn.livejournal.com]

I may be wrong, but don't most priestly consecrations include the idea that although a person can resign from "active duty" they never stop being a priest?

If you were drawn to being a priest previously -- especially in more than one religious setting -- then that calling is probably a very deep part of you, one that transcends the specifics of any one community's official roles and expectations.

You can get burned out on serving the role, but the charism doesn't leave you.

Or at least that's my theory. ;-)

[Edited/moved to take this out of someone else's comment thread.]

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

This is entirely true. Priesthood is indelible. I'm still an ordained minister of the Church of England- and I don't believe any earthly authority can rub that out. It says somewhere in a book or computer file that I'm not to be employed in active ministry, but that doesn't affect my essential status.

I also continue to be a Wiccan high priest.

[sovay]

I'm thinking of calling this journal A Priest In Spite of Himself.

Hm. I love the Hypnerotomachia; by now I permanently associate it with you, so I would be sorry to see it go. On the other hand, I do approve.

[chochiyo-sama.livejournal.com]

I find that when the Universe calls your name and gives you a mission, resistence is futile.

[zoe-1418.livejournal.com]

amen.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

I once had a friendship with an old woman who was nearly blind and housebound and alone. She and her husband had been quite active in the Methodist Church in their young years, but as a carping old woman, sad and lonely, she couldn't get any ministers to come regularly to her--I called several churches in the area, explained her relationship to the Methodists, and some would come one time and then, feeling I suppose that their duty was done, never returned or called again.

So your care of this person who needs someone badly is especially moving to me.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

When I was a priest I had a list of old and housebound people I used to go visit on a regular basis.