John 21:16
"A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you
love me?" He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love
you.' He said to him, 'Tend my sheep.'
John 21:16
This is one of the most poignant phrases in Scripture--it
details the beginning of a priesthood at Jesus' command.
However, the word "tend" doesn't do justice to the phrase. In
order to get the real meaning, one has to go back to the
original Greek word "poimanate" It means more than the
English word "tend". The verb "poimanate" means guiding,
guarding, folding, et cetera; that is, it includes all of those
things involved in the duties of a shepard.
A calling is different than simply "being interested" in a job or
a career. While there are those who seek out and are
successful in their chosen professions, they chose the
career; the career did not choose them. This is precisely what
makes a calling different. Those in the diaconate and
priesthood are chosen by the Lord Jesus, himself.
If you feel the calling to be this "shepherd", please contact us.
St. John the Evangelist would welcome the opportunity to help
you harness your gifts and provide you with a means to
augment them in preparation for tending God's flock.
The rewards of a career in public ministry are very
counter-cultural. Most men and women seek to be rich.
Deacons and priests are rich, too; they have spiritual wealth.
Their reward comes in many ways that aren't completely
obvious to most people: through the knowledge of doing
God's will by helping all people in need, seeking out those
who have been spiritually abandoned, and committing
themselves to lives of faith, scholarship, and service.
Most of the students at Saint John the Evangelist Seminary
have already been through the process of discernment.
Discernment is a guided journey for those who wish to
examine the many ways our Lord is calling them to be of
service to the people of God.
If you wish to receive more information about entering a
customized Discernment Program, please do not hesitate to
contact us. Faculty members are available, free of charge, to
help you determine what God desires for your life.
love me?" He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love
you.' He said to him, 'Tend my sheep.'
John 21:16
This is one of the most poignant phrases in Scripture--it
details the beginning of a priesthood at Jesus' command.
However, the word "tend" doesn't do justice to the phrase. In
order to get the real meaning, one has to go back to the
original Greek word "poimanate" It means more than the
English word "tend". The verb "poimanate" means guiding,
guarding, folding, et cetera; that is, it includes all of those
things involved in the duties of a shepard.
A calling is different than simply "being interested" in a job or
a career. While there are those who seek out and are
successful in their chosen professions, they chose the
career; the career did not choose them. This is precisely what
makes a calling different. Those in the diaconate and
priesthood are chosen by the Lord Jesus, himself.
If you feel the calling to be this "shepherd", please contact us.
St. John the Evangelist would welcome the opportunity to help
you harness your gifts and provide you with a means to
augment them in preparation for tending God's flock.
The rewards of a career in public ministry are very
counter-cultural. Most men and women seek to be rich.
Deacons and priests are rich, too; they have spiritual wealth.
Their reward comes in many ways that aren't completely
obvious to most people: through the knowledge of doing
God's will by helping all people in need, seeking out those
who have been spiritually abandoned, and committing
themselves to lives of faith, scholarship, and service.
Most of the students at Saint John the Evangelist Seminary
have already been through the process of discernment.
Discernment is a guided journey for those who wish to
examine the many ways our Lord is calling them to be of
service to the people of God.
If you wish to receive more information about entering a
customized Discernment Program, please do not hesitate to
contact us. Faculty members are available, free of charge, to
help you determine what God desires for your life.
"...tend my sheep."
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(c) 2009 Saint John the Evangelist Seminary
| For Sacraments and Mass time and location, please contact the Rector. |
Saint John the Evangelist Seminary
United States Old Catholic Church
United States Old Catholic Church