Apropos of the earlier post on the church's "dry drunks," the well-regarded Bishop of Stockton, Stephen Blaire, gave a savory homily last month at the ordination Mass for two new priests from his diocese. (HT: Rocco's Whispers) In motifs reminiscent of John XXIII--but perhaps aimed at those who would fashion themselves as the new clericalists?--Blaire employed a powerful image from the Old Testament:

"There are some in the Church today who do not look forward in hope with the eyes of faith but tend to be preoccupied with looking back in some kind of nostalgia for a Church they never experienced prior to the Second Vatican Council. I encourage you to study the history of the Church as a living and developing tradition and not to look back as Lots wife did or you might end up being a pillar of salt rather then the 'salt of the earth.' "

Read more of Blaire's homily here: http://www.stocktondiocese.org/english/bishop/homilies/homily19May2007.html

But don't miss this nice bit:

"I have always treasured the words of my first pastor when I was newly ordained: We are here to serve the people and to do it with a touch of class."