The call of Peter.
Bishop Christensen was ordained for the Diocese of Superior at the St. Paul Cathedral last Saturday. The first readings from daily Mass since Wednesday had to do with bishops, which reminded me to keep Bishop Christensen in my prayers as he follows in the footsteps of the Apostles. I imagined that the new Bishop could not help but be impressed at how providential the readings have been. He must think the scriptures have been addressed especially to him this week.
Paul’s letter to Timothy is one of instruction on the qualities and duties of being a Bishop, as well as encouragement. “Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” 1 Timothy 4. Likewise, today’s feast of St. Matthew and the readings from Mass must hold great significance for the new Bishop.
The office of Bishop is a call, like the original call to priesthood, yet it differs because the new Bishop usually never personally sought the office - Bishop Peter surely never did. The world sees the office as a high honor, a promotion in worldly terms; while it is indeed an honor, it is so much more than that. It is really a call to more generous service, “to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ”. - Ephesians
“He grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him.” - Luke 2.
We expect our bishops and priests to be ‘automatically’ holy, yet they too advance in grace and holiness “day unto day”, just as lay people do, while “night unto night imparts knowledge” - that is, often obscurely through faith alone. Though the grace of the office is proportionate to the call, (”Grace was given to each according to the measure of Christ’s call.” - Ephesians) the new priest or bishop always must grow in wisdom and grace just as we do, “until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.” - Ephesians
Of course, this means that we all must continue to pray for Bishop Christensen and all of our bishops and priests, because, as Mother Teresa told the Holy Father, “If we have holy priests (and bishops) we will have holy families.”
My prayers and best wishes go out to the newly consecrated Bishop Peter Christensen. “May the spoken words of his mouth, the thoughts of his heart, win favor in your sight, O Lord!” - Psalm 19
