And the bishop cried

Have you ever heard a bishop cry? I do not mean the crocodile tears that some pastors seem to be able to drop on cue. I mean, the honest release of emotion that expresses our deep inner feelings. No, most of us have not.

The last two days have again delayed my planned blogging, but given me another view of God at work. You see, a couple of days ago, a priest friend of mine telephoned me and told me that he has terminal cancer. The physicians said four months at the outside. He wanted me to be the one to notify the bishop and to call another priest to come and hear his confession and bring him communion. And, so I took care of that, then went to see him the following day. The funny part was that he had forgotten that I was going to visit, and had returned (with help) to his apartment to gather some things he will need. His forgetfulness set up another series of events that I may comment on in another post.

But, back to the bishop. I called to notify the bishop, as my friend asked. And, the bishop cried. No, not the crying that is without hope, but the same crying that our Lord Jesus did in front of the tomb of Lazarus despite knowing that he was going to resurrect him. And, I was blessed. You see, it means that he is a bishop who truly cares about each and every one whom he oversees. Now, mind you, I have always known him as a responsive pastor. But, this time I think I caught a glimpse of the depth of his heart.

You see, one of the biggest temptations for Orthodox bishops is to begin to think of themselves more highly than they ought. No, I did not say that. The newly elected Metropolitan of the OCA said that.  Terry Mattingly reports it this way:

. . . bishops in the Orthodox Church in America have started using this sentiment . . . [to speak] about the impact the episcopate can have on their egos. “What happens to a guy?”, said Bishop Jonah during the church’s All American Council in Pittsburgh. “You put him on a stand in the middle of the church, you dress him up like the Byzantine emperor, and you tell him to live forever. You know?”

And, so, I am glad to say, “and the bishop cried.” Yes, he does dress up like a Byzantine emperor and he does sit in the middle of the church. But, in his case, he sits in the middle of the church like the heart sits in the middle of the body. May God grant him many years.