BC. Ordination’22
Jong-yun James Kim SJ from Korea was one of seven Jesuits who were ordained deacons in Boston on 24 September by the Most Reverend Peter J Uglietto VG, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston. He writes this reflection on his ordination.
Korean Provincial Fr Yong-su Pascal Kim SJ and Deacon Jong-yun James Kim SJ
I have been in Boston for over a month now since late August. Fr Yong-su Pascal Kim SJ, the Provincial of Korea, had sent me to study theology at the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College. As anyone can agree, it is good to have new relationships and experience a different culture. However, the tension of adapting to an unfamiliar environment and studying theology in English weighed on me. While I was barely following my schedule, adjusting to the community, and studying, my diaconate ordination was also coming up. I was embarrassed that I had not focused enough on this important event in my spiritual journey.
A week before the ordination, all of us candidates had a short retreat. Fr Paul Harman SJ, the spiritual director at St Peter Faber Jesuit community, gave two points for our prayer: the first was “friends,” and the second was “foot-washers”. These were not his original ideas but came from the title of the book written by Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley, the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Boston. As you would expect from the title, “Wanted: Friends and Foot Washers”, the Lord Jesus Christ calls us to be friends and foot washers. After such a beautiful presentation, I earnestly thought about my ordination, and prayed that I may become a friend and foot washer, and set my anchor on God.
On the day, I entered the chapel eager to become a friend and server of the Lord. As the ceremony proceeded, it did not take long for me to realise that the Mass was the washing of my feet. Yes, I believe Jesus Christ was cleansing my dirty feet as a friend before calling me to become a foot washer for his people. Throughout the Mass, this thought never left me and filled me with consolation. I am an undeserving sinner, yet God presents himself to me by being my friend and cleansing me.
Photo from the Jesuits of Canada and the United States
After the Mass, I felt like a clean person emerging from a bath. My dalmatic dazzled under the beautiful sky as the people congratulated us. Indeed, I was up in the air feeling like a splendid person!
Now the wonderful day has passed, and I am back to everyday life, doing homework, reading articles, and speaking in English. My brothers in the community have asked me with a smile whether I notice the ontological change in myself. I have known there is no special one after the ordination. My ordinary life continues, but I can happily return to the monotony of routine and the struggle of schoolwork knowing that Christ calls me not as an extraordinary person but as a simple foot washer and deacon, who praises God and serves His people in this place where He has sent me.
