While in seminary, I was required to perform a semester of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), which involves spending a semester internship in a hospital or health care setting. One of my favorite memories of this time was watching and learning from our Catholic Priest (Father Tim). My fond memories of Father Tim revolved around his appearance in the hospital, in the fact that his patient care and ministry exuded happiness and love.
When visiting with patients, he (Father Tim) would not wear the traditional black priests shirt with his collar. Instead Father Tim would wear the brightest colored, pink, blue, and yellow shirts with his priests collar. My belief was that Father Tim wanted bright colors to show happiness and joy, rather than the traditional black color that might bring fear to some patients.
Father Tim taught me that brightness and joy have a true place in settings that sometimes can be dark and scary to people. I learned that my happy attitude not only revolved around my demeanor, but also revolved around how I appeared to my flock in the hospital.
The book of Ecclesiastes Chapter three, verse twelve tells us: I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live. As a now graduated seminarian and an ordained minister, I take this text to heart when visiting with those that are in dark situations, those that are in fear, those that need to see brightness instead of darkness.
I may not wear a priests shirt, but after watching Father Tim, I wear bright ties that express happiness and brightness to those that may be in fear, those that see nothing but darkness and fear on the horizon.
Brothers and Sisters, those of us the share and profess the "Good News" of Jesus Christ are called to carry ourselves in the same joy and happiness, in the fact that our eternity has been been sealed for us in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
My prayer for you does not involve wearing bright, loud ties, but resides in the fact that people will truly see God's happiness and joy in you, and that your Christ filled personality will turn someones darkness into a bright light.
Be Happy My Friends.
Pastor Tim
