More Than A Reading

I have basically been living at St. John's during this Christmas season.  Morning Prayer, two noon day services, the comfort and healing service on Christmas Eve Eve, the late service on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day... and finally this morning.   The head verger, who is responsible for scheduling the Eucharistic Ministers, joked that I would be ready for ordination by the end of today.

Funny joke... especially given what I was assigned to read:

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them, 

The Lord bless you and keep you; 

the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; 

the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.

(Numbers 6: 22-27)

This passage is identified as "The Priestly Benediction."   It's one of my favorite dismissals that Fr. Lee Graham would use on Fridays at the noon day service.  Funny, then, that the head verger said that my service today would qualify me for ordination!  I think it will take more than just a reading on the Feast of the Holy Name.