Bishop of the House

Bishop of the Home

Go and read Bishop JONAH's Acceptance Address HERE. (scroll down a little ways)

It is very good and I was really moved as he discussed the vocation of a Bishop, not only because of my love for Christ's Church, but also because I believe the Holy Spirit was pressing upon me the reality that the Bishop's role in the Church is in many ways comparable to the role of a Father at home. As we are often told, a family is like an icon of the Church and indeed the home IS a Home-church. In that sense, Bp JONAH's address is profoundly convicting to me.

Imagine, for a moment, changing Bp. JONAH's words. I will preface this by adding that by no means do I wish to say this analogy is perfect and neither would I dare to suggest that the episcopal vocation is not deeply and particularly unique - different than earthly fatherhood in numerous ways, not the least of which in demands of spiritual maturity and such. None-the-less, knowing Bp. JONAH I expect he would agree and bless my revisions here to the extent that it may be generally applied to the sacred vocation of earthly fatherhood:

It [fatherhood] demands true holiness, nothing other than synergy with the Divine Will—the very definition of obedience.

To fulfill what it means to be a bishop [father] means nothing other than to “attain to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” How far I am from this! And yet, it is the Holy Spirit who fulfills what is lacking, and heals that which is infirm.

The episcopacy [Fatherhood] presents the ultimate ascetic and spiritual challenge: the challenge of complete conversion to Christ, the transformation of mind and heart by repentance, in order that I may say with St Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life that I now live in the flesh, I live in the Son of God” (Gal 2:20). To die to self, to empty oneself, to humble oneself even unto death—this is the calling of the bishop [father]... Though there are many tasks and jobs associated with the episcopacy [fatherhood], administrative, pastoral and liturgical, it is not so much about the “job” as it is about the person; and that person is not me, but rather, Christ.

To what degree do my children and my wife see Christ in me? Like Bp. JONAH, I pray that the Holy Spirit fulfills what is lacking and heals that which is infirm as I strive to be a better father. May I approach my vocation as soberly as Bp. JONAH has clearly approached his.