Through the Little Door

Back on May 13, when your unworthy servant was commemorating the eighth anniversary of my ordination to the diaconate, our Holy Father was in the City of David…

The ancient Basilica of the Nativity, buffeted by the winds of history and the burden of the ages, stands before us as a witness to the faith which endures and triumphs over the world.

No visitor to Bethlehem can fail to notice that in the course of the centuries the great door leading into the house of God has become progressively smaller.

Today let us pray that, by God’s grace and our commitment, the door leading into the mystery of God’s dwelling among men, the temple of our communion in his love, and the foretaste of a world of eternal peace and joy, will open ever more fully to welcome, renew and transform every human heart.

(Pope Benedict, homily in Manger Square)

Grotto of the Nativity

We pilgrims will crouch down through the ancient door of the Basilica of the Nativity in nine days, please God. We will visit the very place where the Son of God was born!

Admissions, Etc.

Book of the Holy Gospels

I admit that my NBA Finals prediction has proven to be woefully inaccurate.

I admit that my last post was both 1) random, and b) insensitive to “Babe” lovers. (“Babe” is the best pig movie ever.)

I admit that I was hoping against hope that we would not have to watch the puppets during the NBA Finals–but these hopes have been mercilessly dashed over and over again.

(I thought it would be brutta figura to run these ads after the Cavs lost, and LeBron did not make the Finals. But apparently Nike does not share these sensibilities.)

Yesterday, I had the privilege of witnessing the ordination of a friend to the transitional diaconate. This means that he will be a deacon for a year or two; then, please God, he will be ordained a priest.

It is a thoroughly moving ceremony. One of the questions that the bishop asks the candidates is based on I Timothy 3:9.

After the newly ordained deacon is vested, the bishop hands him the book of the gospels and commisions him:

Believe what you read. Teach what you believe. Practice what you teach.

May the good Lord help us to fulfill this demanding mission!