Win the Crowd

Seeing how clergy and congregation listen to Holy Spirit

05/25/2019

Acts of the Apostles 16:1-10 Paul reached also Derbe and Lystra where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him, and Paul wanted him to come along with him. On account of the Jews of that region, Paul had him circumcised, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they traveled from city to city, they handed on to the people for observance the decisions reached by the Apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem. Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith and increased in number.

Today, May 25th, is the twenty-third anniversary of my priestly ordination. I was ordained on the same week that our beloved former pastor, Msgr. William Galvin, died in 1996. I could not have have dreamed back then I would take his place as the pastor of this great church and this great congregation. Let me invite you to reflect briefly with me on one point in the ordination rite of a priest.

Before the bishop delivers his homily, the vocation director presents the candidate for orders. He says: “Most Reverend Father, holy mother Church asks you to ordain this man, our brother, for service as priest.” The bishop asks: “Do you judge him to be worthy?” Then the vocation director relies not only on his own judgment, but also on that of the people of God, answering: “After inquiry among the people of Christ, and upon recommendation of those concerned with his training, I testify that he has been found worthy.” The bishop responds: “We rely on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, and we choose this man, our brother, for priesthood in the presbyteral order.” And then the crowd goes wild with applause.

I remember at my ordination the crowd clapped for so long at that point, that Bishop McDonald had to ask them to stop so we could continue. That reminds me of the advice of the retired gladiator to Russell Crowe in the movie of the same name, “Gladiator.” He said: “I was not the best because I killed quickly. I was the best because the crowd loved me. Win the crowd and you will win your freedom.” In other words, for a man to be ordained he must sort of “win the crowd” because the bishop will inquire about the opinion of the crowd, the people of God, before ordaining a man. The voice of the Holy Spirit, therefore, can be heard at an ordination rite not only in the words of the bishop but also in the cheers of the congregation. Both must be in sync before the bishop lays hands on a man’s head and forever changes him into an “alter Christus,” another Christ.

In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul also relies on the opinion of the people of God (the crowd) before choosing men to follow him in the ministry. We read: “Paul reached also Derby and Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was Greek. The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him (Timothy), and Paul wanted him to come along with him.” You might recall that Timothy not only became a priest, but also later a bishop. Paul will pen two great letters to Timothy that would be included in the canon of the New Testament called 1st and 2nd Timothy. But none of that later legacy would have ensued without the will of the people, without winning the crowd. Maybe Paul had to tell the people to stop clapping like Bishop McDonald did, before he laid hands on Timothy to make him an alter Christus, another Christ. Only when the ordained clergy and the lay congregation are in sync can you be most sure about the will of the Holy Spirit.

A few days ago Fr. Stephen was sharing some of the challenges he will face when he goes to St. Paul in Pocahontas. He mentioned a million dollar construction project that sounded very intimidating to him. I simply advised him: “I was not great because I killed quickly. I was great because the crowds loved me. Win the crowd and you will win your construction project.” I know I’m being silly. Nonetheless, there is truth in that saying, “Win the crowd.” The people of God will support worthwhile parish projects, but not frivolous ones. They vote with their feet, their pocketbooks, and with their cheers.

This notion of winning the crowd also defines my approach to a successful liturgy. How do you know if a priest celebrates the Mass well? Simple: do the people want to come back the following Sunday? That does not mean the priest must always say nice and pleasant things from the pulpit. The people come to hear the truth. Why? They know instinctively what Jesus said in John 8:32 rings true: “The truth will set you free.” The best liturgies will always “win the crowd” because when the clergy and the congregation are in sync, you can hear the whispering and the will of the Holy Spirit.

Incidentally, later today is also the ordination of Fr. Jon Miskin, the most newly minted minister for the Diocese of Little Rock. He credited his vocation to the crowds of his family, his friends and his patron saints, in short, what he calls his village. In other words, when the clergy and the congregation are in sync, you can hear the Holy Spirit, and you can find your vocation. Say a sincere prayer for Fr. Miskin today. Who knows, one day he may be appointed pastor of this great church and this great congregation. That’s something he’s probably not dreaming about today.

Praised be Jesus Christ!