Amen To The Priesthood Of That Man

You Know That Guy, Right?

We've all been there. You're at a wedding, a funeral, or maybe even a really intense book club meeting. Suddenly, someone stands up, clears their throat, and says, "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and those who don't identify with either, please give your undivided attention to... Father John!" And just like that, the room goes silent. The priest has entered the building.

Now, I'm not talking about the kind of priest you'd find in a horror movie, or the one who's been moonlighting as a stand-up comedian. I'm talking about the good old-fashioned, collar-wearing, incense-swinging priest. The one who's been ordained to lead his flock through life's ups and downs, from the "I do's" to the "Amen's".

Ordinary Joe, Extraordinary Calling

You might be thinking, "Wow, that's a big job. I could never do that." But here's the thing, folks. That priest you're looking at? He's just a man. A man who, at some point in his life, decided to answer a call. A call that said, "Hey, you! Yeah, you with the questionable taste in ties. I think you'd make a great leader of my people."

It's like when your mom calls you for dinner, but instead of saying, "Hey, come eat some leftovers," it's, "Hey, come lead a congregation of 500 people through a 45-minute mass, and try not to mess up the Latin." No pressure, right?

From Altar Boy to Altar Leader

You see, the path to the priesthood isn't always a straight one. Some guys know from a young age that they're destined for the big leagues of the church. Others, well, they take a bit of a detour. They might start out as altar boys, trying their best not to drop the communion wafers, or as choir members, hoping their solo doesn't turn into a solo-cry.

Dallin H. Oaks quote: When we undertake to cover our sins...

But then, one day, something clicks. Maybe it's during a particularly moving homily, or maybe it's while they're helping out at a soup kitchen. Whatever it is, they realize that they've found their calling. And just like that, they're off to the seminary, trading in their video games for theology books and their Friday night plans for prayer meetings.

Not Just a Man in a Collar

Now, I know what you're thinking. "But what about all those jokes about priests? You know, the ones about them not being able to drive, or their love for bad jokes?" Well, here's the thing. Those jokes? They're usually told by priests themselves. Because guess what? They're just like us. They love a good laugh, they hate traffic, and they've probably spent way too much time trying to figure out how to work the fancy coffee machine at the church.

Amen to the Priesthood of That Man - YouTube

In fact, I once knew a priest who was so bad at telling jokes that the congregation started bringing their own joke books to mass. But you know what? They loved him. Because he was real. He was human. And he was there for them, every step of the way.

So Here's to the Priests

Here's to the priests who lead with love, who listen with patience, and who tell jokes with... well, let's just say they're working on it. Here's to the men who've answered the call, who've dedicated their lives to serving others, and who've shown us all that even in the most ordinary of men, there can be an extraordinary calling.

So the next time you see a priest, give him a smile. Say hello. And if you're feeling really brave, you could even ask him about that joke you've been trying to figure out. Just don't blame me if you end up with a new punchline for your troubles.