Catholic Kermit

With a bad rainstorm (drought-relief) today, I started re-reading John Paul II‘s book, “Rise, Let Us be on Our Way.” Although it mainly reflects on his journey to and through becoming a bishop, it is written for everyone.  It’s a simple read with great personal insight and advice for all Christians.  Here are some points I highlighted from the Ordination Liturgy parts of  “Vocation” (section 1):

At a priestly ordination, the hands area anointed; at an episcopal [bishop] ordination the head is anointed.  This signifies the call to new responsibilities: the bishop will have the task of guiding the Church, which will palce great demands on him. … The ring on the bishop’s finger signifies that he is married to the Church, the sign of fidelity … to protect the holy Church, bride of Christ. … The Book of Gospels is given to remind of a bishop’s calling, to not only serve, but he must be a teacher. … The miter is a reminder of his commitment to let the “light of holiness shine in him” like a “city on a hill” (Mt 5:14) to be “a living example to the flock” (1 Pet 5:3). … The crosier is a sign of the authority that enables the bishop to fulfill his duty to care for his flock.

Outside of the cool symbols, what really struck me was the personal call to holiness that ALL need to find.

The essential meaning of holiness is that it is always personal, and that each and every man is called to it.  All members of the people of God are called, but each is called in a unique and unrepeatable manner.  … A shepherd must watch, protect and lead every sheep to discover that holiness is not “some kind of extraordinary existence, possible only for a few ‘uncommon heroes’ of holiness.  The ways of holiness are many, according to the vocation of each individual.”  What a great potential of grace lies dormant in the vast numbers of the baptized!

— I can say no more.