So there used to be a time in my life that I could cherish being called "newly ordained." People would comment on how nice it was to have young priests. I liked that time of my life. After a few years of ministry and a move to become pastor of a number of parishes I no longer could be called "newly ordained" but was somewhat satisfied with the term "junior clergy." While not being newly ordained I was quite fine with the "junior" handle as I was still young (and much younger at heart) and not as seasoned as some of my colleagues.

On the highway of life and speeding quickly toward 50, I have learned that while "newly ordained" is now many years removed, the handle of "junior clergy" has also disappeared. According to some in my family and circle of friends I now can take on the handle of "middle aged clergy." I don't know if I am so comfortable with "middle age" only because the next thing that comes after that is "old age." Sure, I am not as old as my Dad (who gloriously turned 90 in January) but I am beginning to think that "old" is probably more appropriate than "middle age."
It all starts with my staff. Thank goodness that Deacon Bob is on staff because if he wasn't I might be in the running for the oldest on staff. The majority of them are younger than I am and that reality hurts when I still like to classifiy myself as "young." The couples that approach us for weddings seem oh so young but that is subjective too . . . the only reason they seem younger is that I am getting older. Having friends and buddies who are 70 does not seem like a crazy idea. When I was 25 and young, having people aged 70 considered as buddies was moreso an act of charity than anything else. Finding young people who think it "hip" to be in the presence of a "middle aged" priest is becoming more and more of a struggle and quite possibly the only reason they hang around me is because they are doing an act of charity.
I am no longer an uncle, but I am a great uncle to three beautiful little girls. You don't become a great uncle by studying books. You become a great uncle because you are old. Last week I had the pleasure to be in Toronto and visit a couple of our parishioners who play hockey with the Maple Leafs. On one of the evenings I was being driven home by one of the players - he is 22 and drives a Mercedes. I realized I am old enough to be his dad. Then I realized for a 22 year old hockey player to be giving the "middle aged" priest a ride was definitely an act of charity on his part.
Returning home I found that my office desk had been replaced, new computers were purchased and more young babies were in need of baptism. I struggled with all of the new passwords and security features and I grew weary of the countless wires and plugs and whatever else there is on these new machines. I have a hard enough time remembering my own phone number and now I have to remember all these new passwords and the powers-that-be informed me that "1234" was not a good password.
And then it all came to light last week when a good and long time friend since university days came to my new rectory. Taking a look at my wonderful "retro" kitchen (one that looks similar to what your grandmother would have had in the 1950s) he smiled and said "Nice kitchen David but damn are you getting old." I rest my case.