tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18902745.post4841704287352060034..comments2024-03-24T15:19:06.377-04:00Comments on The Continuum: Third Sunday in Advent 2008Fr. Robert Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892141425033196616noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18902745.post-37017619183797886472008-12-15T03:36:00.000-05:002008-12-15T03:36:00.000-05:00An excellent sermon. It escaped my attention someh...An excellent sermon. It escaped my attention somehow that as the son of a Levite, John would have been a member of the Levitical priesthood himself. John appears to be a faithful one - he notably isn't sacrificing out in the wilderness, as the only licit place for it would be the temple in Jerusalem.<BR/><BR/>I'm encouraged by reading a sermon that helps explain the ordained ministry. At school (which is admittedly Protestant and liberal), they prefer to "empower the laity." I often hear professors, speakers, and students use the line "I'm just your pastor," or "I'm only a priest," especially when prodded about liturgical policy. I imagine someone like Polyphemus, David, or other famed shepherds attempting to coax his flock by "empowering" them, rather than protecting and leading them. Pastors, for most of my colleagues, seem interested in helping people find their deep seated inner-goodness, or some such rot.<BR/><BR/>Ugh. Do none of these people bother to look into what the word describing their profession <I>means</I>? I can't help but think most self-actualized and empowered sheep swiftly get their head stuck in a fence or eaten by wolves.RSC+https://www.blogger.com/profile/00639369749327986414noreply@blogger.com