The famous Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky said, “Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing.” In the Gospel reading this week, Jesus does something harsh and dreadful — he watches his own disciples abandon him. What could possibly be loving about that?

There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served." — Cor 12:5

The role of the ministry of acolytes in the Church is sacred; at the same time, it helps to facilitate worship. Etymologically, the term "acolyte" originates from the Greek word akoluthos, meaning "server," "companion" or "follower." Acolytes assist the anyone is deacon or priest at the altar. Their ministry therefore anchors on service to the Church and the people of God.

A priest I know was asked by a door-to-door evangelist, “Do you believe in Jesus?” He answered, “Yes, I do. But if I may ask you,” he continued, “Where do you experience Jesus’ body and blood?” His interlocutor responded somewhat confusedly, “I don’t. I just believe in him. That’s all that is needed.” Later my priest friend would relate to me, “The more I thought about it, that response struck me as totally inadequate. As human beings, we need to encounter Jesus’ body and blood, not just hear about him and mentally believe. Otherwise, Jesus is just a ghost.”

“Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations." —Mt 28:19

The work of Michael Salemi our seminarian is commendable. His work was fruitful and the parishioners benefited immensely from the column he created on the bulletin, where he shared his profound experiences on the seminary formation. He addressed a spectrum of issues bordering on formation. Michael’s legacy of the past months needs to be sustained. I therefore wish to step in to continue with the weekly sharing. Henceforth, our sharing will cut across a variety of topics towards deepening the faith journey of our parishioners.

This week we hear Jesus say, “He that believes in me, has eternal life” (John 6:47). These straightforward words, uttered by human lips, sound — how to put this? — insane. Who could possibly say such a thing? Jesus says things that are so high, so demanding, so beyond our capacity to fathom, we hardly know what to do with them and (if you’re like me), they usually go in one ear and out the other. So, let us ask: how can believing in him lead to eternal life?

Since my college days I’ve loved a song called “Dance with You” by the rock band Live. It touches on the deep mystical hunger of our heart: “I’ve tasted all the wines/ a half a billion times/ came sickened to your shore/ you showed me what this life is for.” These lines resonate with anyone who has feasted on the good things of this world only to be left spiritually hungover and unsatisfied.

"I will appoint for you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently" (Jer 3:15)

Human formation lays the building's foundation, spiritual formation builds the walls, intellectual formation supports the building, and pastoral formation is the roof of the structure that brings everything together and completes this analogy. If seminaries only focused on intellectual formation, they would be only forming theologians. If the focus was only spiritual, they would be forming contemplative monks. If the focus was only human, they would be forming counselors. The first three pillars are focused interiorly on the individual growth of the seminarian. The pastoral pillar enters each of these and transforms them to no longer be focused interiorly but exteriorly toward others. Clerics have a three-fold office to fulfill for their people -to teach, to govern, and to sanctify - and these offices are the exterior forms of the intellectual, human, and spiritual pillars.

“I learned [Wisdom] without guile and I impart without grudging; I do not hide her wealth, for it is an unfailing treasure for men; those who get it obtain friendship with God, commended for the gifts that come from instruction.” —Wis 7:13-14

In keeping with the building analogy, intellectual formation acts as the structural support that connects the human foundation with the walls of the spiritual life. When the walls are built higher, the support needed to keep them from collapsing will increase. This is the role of intellectual formation in the seminary. The correct way to approach theological studies is with the mentality of faith seeking understanding. This is not learning for the sake of passing required classes or to become the know-it-all priest at the parish. These classes are to help deepen the seminarian’s spiritual life and to pass on these teachings to his future parishioners.

The world is filled with people whose basic needs aren’t met, whether for clean water, nutrition, safety, education, meaningful work, stable family life, basic medical resources, religious freedom, and the right to life. So how can we possibly believe what Psalm 145 says to us this week, “The hand of the Lord feeds us, he answers all our needs”? Does he? What about the countless poor? Can’t we identify at least a few unmet needs in our own lives right now? Is the Bible promoting wishful thinking and laziness in helping others?

Burnout. Recent studies suggest that roughly two-thirds of doctors and nurses have signs of it. You probably know what burnout is: long-term stress leading to emotional exhaustion and a lack of a sense of personal accomplishment. Burnout can threaten anyone who tries to seriously serve and love others. How does our faith inform this challenging experience, and how do we find refreshment?

"I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. —Romans 12:1-2

After the foundation of humanity is laid, the walls of a spiritual life begin to be built. A proper understanding of self leads to a proper understanding of relation to Christ. Spiritual formation focuses on instilling the virtues of prayer and devotion needed for a thriving priesthood. The list of focus areas for a seminarian's spiritual life include: Eucharist, Confession, Liturgy of the Hours, spiritual direction, Scripture, retreats, meditation, reading the Church Fathers, personal devotions, asceticism, simplicity of life, solitude, obedience, celibacy, and other things. (PPF 229)

Once I asked a fallen-away Catholic friend of mine what he remembered about the parish priest from his youth. He said, “He was a gentle, nice guy. Kind of vanilla. Kept to himself.” It struck me that he, perhaps like many, perceive Catholic priests as the following: lonely, harmless, and self-sufficient. As a challenge both to this perception (accurate or not) and to us priests who perhaps feel a pull in that uninspiring direction, stands the mighty image of what we see in the Gospel this Sunday.

There are four pillars, or dimensions, of priestly formation: Human, Intellectual, Spiritual, and Pastoral. At each of the stages that we have covered, there are different benchmarks that need to be met before moving forward. The pillars act as cornerstones to the seminarian’s development so he can continue to progress and grow even after completing seminary. Similar to a college education, a seminary cannot teach everything, but can give the tools and foundations that will be used after graduation. The first and most foundational of these dimensions is Human Formation.

Recently I watched a bunch of YouTube videos on how to optimize willpower in the face of weakness. The message was: do not accept your weakness. Crush it. Dominate it. In one video, however, at the end of a rant by a willpower coach, the muscular stoic admitted, “You’ll never actually get what you want, no matter how hard you try.” Amazingly, he admitted that willpower alone is not sufficient for us weak-willed humans.

"The Glory which you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me." (Jn 17:22-23)

After three to five years of seminary formation, we now arrive at the final stage of seminary: Configuration. Unlike the previous two stages, there is no minimum or maximum number of years for this stage. A seminary's theology curriculum usually lasts four years, so most programs still try to help the men complete this stage in the same timeframe. Configuration is an intense period of formation. The previous stages were of intense discernment, but this is no longer needed because the seminarian has received candidacy and is considered finished with his priestly discernment.