A Well-Meaning Priest

After thirty-eight years of this
I’ve come to see that we are nothing more
than a well-meaning priest.
Nothing less though.
And that’s all the difference. 
Well-Meaning. 
Well.
Meaning.
 
Try as you might,
            (and please don’t),
You might become many things,
       few of which will honor others,
          nor God,
               nor even you.
 
You are not a family chaplain,
     though you will listen and tend.
You are not the cruise director on the Love Boat,
     though you will encourage loving friendships. 
You are not a magician,
     though you will practice a great mystery.
You are not a physician,
     though you will bind wounds. 
You are not a therapist
     though you will offer a Gospel reframing of thoughts and feelings.
You are not a social worker
     Though you will work for justice and dignity in every setting.
You are not a dignified dilettante of the elite class,
     though you will defend the faith with a honed virtuosity of words.
 
Instead, you may end up 
     telling a truth than opens and cleanses wounds; 
     standing in places where few would muster the courage to be found;
     holding a hand of someone most would prefer to forget;
     containing the pain of loss few could bear alone. 
You may also end up
     smiling with a joy unshareable due to a trust given;
     laughing at your own foolishness, used for redemption anyway;
     surprised by a grace that got you to a victory you could not or would not
          have accomplished on your own.
 
Oh, you are only a well-meaning priest.
But you are never less than that. 
 
On the occasion of the ordination of the Reverend Celeste Geldreich                      PCJ+