Cat, Call, Cachoo!

Cat, Call, Cachoo! September 23, 2004

So you heard the news about the Artist Formerly Known as Cat Stevens being denied entry into the US? Stephen Shwartz of the Weekly Standard explains why in an article entitled Is Cat Stevens a Terrorist?

In response to my article — What’s Good About the Priesthood — I received an email asking about discernment. Lacking in that department — discernment — but full of stories, here is my edited reply:

Greetings XX!

I hope this finds you well. Thanks for your note.

I dunno. My track record in this area is limited and frustrating.

As to discernment, if you don’t have one already — find a good spiritual father who will help you in the discernment process. I was first ordained Episcopalian and my mentor prior to seminary was a great help.

I remember the first time I went to an Episcopal priest about my “call” — I asked: “How did you wind up in those clothes?” Without blinking an eye he said, “Got tired of running from it.” I knew right then and there that I was a goner. That was exactly what I’d been doing for years. He then went on to say that the first time he went to a bishop to discern the “call” — the crotchety ol’ bishop said, “Son, do you pray?” The man said he did. The bishop, rather sternly replied: “Pray to God you don’t have this curse!”

[Recently, a fellow priest and I were talking] and, at the tail-end of a discussion, I said: “Well isn’t that why we got into this ‘business’ in the first place?” He said, “No, I’ve finally come to figure it out. I became a priest out of arrogance … God allows me to serve as a priest as a penance.”

I think there’s truth to all of the above.



Finally … Now that a touch of fall is in the air, many of you may be thinking “naked yoga” — am I right? If so, San Francisco is

the place to go.

(Lord have mercy)


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