At the end of February this year I sent a note to Vicar Tim that could be used as an introduction to Gayle my wife, and me. It covered the basics. Last Monday we completed our three-day  journey from Morrinsville in the Waikato to here. In time to meet briefly with Tim. We are settling into the vicarage and slowly finding our way around the Papanui area. Google maps have been an almost perfect guide when it comes to purchasing the necessaries.

Why, you must wonder, have I begun this note with the above introduction. While thinking about this article, Jesus’ words from the  parable Matthew recorded of a man who had visitors who had  arrived late in the day and of his dilemma, having little to provide them sustenance. Despite the fact that it was at midnight he sought bread from a nearby friend. The friend’s response from his first request was a clear No. However, No was not accepted as an appropriate answer so the knocking and asking continued until the requested food was given.

Jesus used this parable context to make a clear statement to his listeners. “I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” 

The asking and seeking  an answer was for me that God would provide me with a greater understanding of this question, “Why am I an Anglican priest?” I came from a non-Anglican form of worship.

By reviewing carefully the path I have journeyed during the decade prior to my ordination, I have come to see God’s hand leading. The church, of which was an elder, had a major decline in numbers. This caused Gayle and me to ask where we would worship. The central need for us was a church that had Holy Communion at least each Sunday. God’s immediate provision was St Matthew’s vicar, Murray. A man who had a heart for people. He had gained permission from the Intermediate school, at which I was teaching, to be in the school grounds during the lunch hour in a pastoral role for any student to speak with him. It so happened that the day he came also happened to be the day I was on playground duty. We got to know each other well. I shared with him the closing of my church and he began to pastor Gayle and me. Murray also invited us to worship at St Matthew’s which we did. We were made welcome. Murray also suggested after a few years that I should consider being ordained. Murray moved on and during the interregnum I was able to participate in the church services as a reader and later as a preacher. The new vicar and his wife both had a teaching background. We clicked. Brian too suggested I apply for ordination. The seed had been planted . It began to grow. Another interregnum, another vicar who also supported my quest for ordination. September 2017 I was ordained priest at St Matthew’s Morrinsville.

Jesus’ words, “Everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Followed by Jesus’ promise, “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” We may learn that as individuals they have a relevance for our own faith journey  praying sincerely, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

May God the Holy Spirit enliven our trust and enable us to ask in faith.