In becoming a priest, Herbert would become a knight of the faith, “exchanging lay sword / For that of th’ holy Word,” reading and deploying the scriptures unto salvation.ĭespite his devotion and godly ambition, Herbert immediately describes his inadequacy to fulfill this holy office.īut thou art fire, sacred and hallowed fire Īnd I but earth and clay: should I presume Herbert’s “fain” desire to wield this authority stems from a godly ambition to expand God’s kingdom. But in contrast to the serpent who deceitfully claims that this authority can be achieved by disobedience to God, Herbert’s desire for this authority is characterized by holy obedience. The priest spiritually elevates, “liftest to the sky,” what is holy he also spiritually condemns, “throwest down to hell,” what is unholy. In this manner, the priest is “ like God” and discerns between “ good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). In thy just censures fain would I draw nigh,įain put thee on, exchanging my lay-swordįor Herbert, the authority of the priesthood is expressed through discernment and righteous judgement. That with th’ one hand thou liftest to the sky,
Herbert begins his poem by expressing his deep desire to serve God as a priest in the church.īlest order, which in power dost so excel, Some may prefer to read the whole poem first. In this article I will analyze Hebert’s poem by stanzas. This poem, which is titled “The Priesthood,” has helped me understand the sacramental nature of ordination and has increasingly become a deep comfort to me as I discern my calling alongside my local church. But what is the invisible grace that ordination points to? What does a sacramental understanding of ordination mean for me and for the people that I hope to serve?Īs I have thought about these questions, I have grown to really appreciate a poem written by a 17 thcentury Anglican priest and poet named George Herbert. Baptism and Holy Communion function as physical signs which point to Jesus’ salvific work in our lives. Unlike those two sacraments, “the sacraments of the church…arose from the practices of the apostles and the Early Church, or were blessed by God in scripture.” These are confirmation, ordination, marriage, absolution, and the anointing of the sick ( TBAC, #125).Īs someone who is beginning the process of ordination, I have been thinking about what it means for ordination to be a “sacrament of the church.” The church has historically viewed sacraments as being “outward, visible sign(s) of an inward, invisible grace” ( TBAC, #125). These differ from the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion which were established by Jesus and are sometimes referred to as “ sacraments of the Gospel” (TBAC, #123). The catechism of the ACNA describes five different rites and institutions as “ sacraments of the church” (see To Be A Christian, #124). As I discern my own vocation, George Herbert’s poem, The Priesthood, has helped me to understand the sacrament of ordination.
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