Five a.m. No priest. Then 5:05 a.m. No priest. He’s coming to Arlington from Maryland, and there’s some thought that a lane reconfiguration may have confused him. Then 5:10 a.m. A friend’s phone rings. I joke she’s getting us a priest… and that failing that, perhaps she should preside herself.
Then 5:15 a.m., and the man some call our “high priest,” given that he’s six-foot-seven, Father Clem Aapengnuo, comes in, ready to celebrate. Clem’s a Ghana native who’s getting his doctorate in conflict analysis and resolution and who has been in residence at my parish for five years. He’s calm, collected, thoughtful, intellectual, friendly, engaged–in other words, everything you could ask for in a priest.
Clem keeps his homily short and tightly focused on the day’s first reading. Why did God need to send a messenger before the Savior, he asks, then opines that maybe we need to be prepared to receive “the greatest gift of our life.” He talks of the importance and challenge of being open to the Lord. We’re called to say, “Here I am, transform me,” Clem says.
It’s a message I need to hear. All too often, I get the metaphorical lash out to scourge myself over a dark place in my soul. Clem makes me think that instead of beating myself up over less than perfect thoughts, I need to work on accepting myself… and accepting God’s help with changing.
Clem was the Simbang Gabi celebrant on Wednesday morning, when I wasn’t able to attend. Now, I’m thanking God for sending Clem ahead as a messenger this morning… and for the other priest’s a mis-set alarm clock, because otherwise, Clem might still be asleep right now.
How beautiful a gift Clem is! What a wonderful message – thank you for sharing! Love you!
Self-acceptance and forgiveness are two of the most difficult disciplines. Something most of, definitely me, have to work on daily.