WHAT I LEARNT IN A ROMAN CATHOLIC ORDINATION SERVICE.

Years back, I was privileged to attend the priestly ordination of some Roman Catholic reverend fathers who graduated from their seminary. As a pentecostal preacher, I decided to learn lessons worth learning and shun whatever might not align with my theology.

I saw handsome young men who dedicated their lives to serve God by taking oath of celibacy, poverty and chastity. They spent ten solid years in the seminary. Some of them are university graduates who enrolled in the seminary after their first degree for another ten years training.

I heard the visiting Bishop cautioning families and friends not to disturb them for money because their new status is not a money making status but for service. He cautioned that they should not disturb them for family contributions. I was amazed to see the joy on the faces of their parents& families. In my heart, I asked why they were happy knowing their sons won't marry and give them grandchildren?

Not only that, these young handsome men won't be rich like their counterparts in the business world and may not have the financial muscle to care for them like their colleagues in banking or oil& gas sector, why the joy?

I compared that scenario with what obtains in the evangelical/pentecostal circle. Sometimes, when a young man perceive God's call into the ministry especially full time, some parents, siblings and families may not give full support. The first line of rejection comes from immediate families.

This is unlike what I saw and heard about most Roman Catholic families where they accept such as a privilege. In fact, some Roman Catholic families pray to have a reverend father or sister in their families. That's how much they value those called into the ministry.

In our circle, everyone starts thinking about how poor those called into ministry will be. Sometimes, families despise them because they don't have money and are seen as lazy and visionless. I read a preacher who spoke about how his father despised him because he abandoned the practice of medicine for ministry.

Some parents may think of how much they have spent on their son and how they dreamt that he'll repay their efforts in a big way. Now that he says he's called into full time ministry, their hopes are dashed. I have met Christian parents who vowed not to allow their children accept God's call into the ministry.

Dear Christian parent, why do you celebrate and publicize your joy so much when your child graduate from law, medical or engineering school but keeps mum or becomes bitter If one of your child chooses to obey God's call into the ministry? It shows where your heart is.

The Holy Spirit taught me that what I saw in that Catholic gathering should be our attitude when one of us is called to serve in the ministry. Our focus should be on how God has given him the privilege to serve and impact lives for eternity. Our perspective should be eternal.

That child whom you are spending millions to train in medical school may abandon that degree for God's call. That should not surprise you. When the master calls, the called must obey. Don't be their opposition, support them to fulfill God's eternal purpose.