God doesn't have hands of course but I expect you know what I mean. I am suggesting that it is possible for us humans to limit what God can do for us, and the example I'm going to use is Vocations to the Priesthood.
Does it make any sense for us Roman Catholic human beings to pray for more vocations to the priesthood while at the same time letting God know that whatever his own plans may be, we don't want married priests or women priests? Those "who have come down from Jerusalem" as it were will undoubtedly snort that a male and celibate priesthood is the will of God and has been for over a thousand years. But I cannot stop myself asking "how can you be so sure?"
Perhaps during these present lean years God has been trying to tell us something. Perhaps he is happy with our growth in maturity and delighted that we now have a less male dominated understanding of what it is to be human. Now he feels able to reveal what was his original plan for the church all along. Because of our ignorance and prejudices we would not have been able to take it on board before now, but now we are at last ready. And what is that original plan? Of course: WOMEN AS WELL AS MEN IN THE ORDAINED PRIESTHOOD.
I think such a guess at what the Almighty wants is just as likely to be right as the claim that "a male celibate priesthood is the will of God."
Doubtless the snorters will remind me that Pope John Paul 2. said that we should not even discuss the idea of women priests, but I'm afraid that just leaves me gasping for air. I will not venture so much as a thought about what this edict says about the late Pope, but I will ask you readers to consider just what kind of image of God lies behind such a statement.
But listen. Before going any further with this one, I'd like to test the water if I may. On your right hand side you will find a new poll. Please fill it in and I'll get back to this subject in a few days.
At a social event the other evening I met a priest who told me that although he knew of this blog he didn't read it and the expression on his face left me in no doubt that he thought doing so was a risky and even disloyal thing to do. Dear God! I cannot imagine a more God-less place than a world where people are not free to exchange views, discuss and learn from each other. I cannot believe that the God of love in whom we believe and trust, would have any truck with fascism.
Fr Val Farrell is priest of the Lancaster Diocese and until recently the Editor of the Diocesan Newspaper, The Voice. He writes a challenging Blog which is well worth a visit and where this blog came from.