Each morning when I begin my Office of Readings I begin with two simple phrases: “O Lord, open my lips—and my mouth will proclaim your praise” followed by “The Lord is Risen, Alleluia.” These two short prayers remind me, as they remind the Church, of why we open our eyes, our hearts and live our lives each day. It is a call to live and proclaim why we choose to serve in joy.
If you have been reading me for a while you know the struggles and joys of serving our holy Church. Ultimately, we always serve with hope where my lips and voice are called to recall my heart and the heart of all to the service of the Joy of the Gospel, as our Holy Father Francis reminds us over and over again.
A part of the joy is to find fun and laughter in service of God…which gets me to the beard that resides on my face…the beard which I have offered to God on behalf of the people of God…the beard that I hope will put a lot of “fun” in the fundraiser at my parish St. Lucy.
Believe it or not the beard has been a source of much controversy in the life of the Catholic Church. You can even go to the Catholic Encyclopedia and there is a whole article on the pendulum of opinions on the wearing of beards by priests and clerics. Every morning when I sit at my prayer altar and look up at the images of the saints that hang on the wall before me I see many bearded saints, men of great holiness whom I call upon to pray with me and saints whom I hope to emulate in my call to serve God’s Holy people. If you want to read a short history I will place a link below to the online Catholic Encyclopedia.
My reasons for a beard are complicated and with a bit of vanity on the top. My first beard began shortly after my discharge from the Marine Corps. Four years of shaving and short haircuts found its rebellion in not shaving and allowing my hair to grow to a proper length. The beard disappeared when I started working but came back in full and complete vengeance when I studied in Germany while attending Holy Names College (now University) and from that year on (1988) I have had a beard on my face, with a few minor exceptions, for the last 30 years.
Why the beard? Some of it involves a contrary spirit to the times. When I began the beard it wasn’t a common practice as it is today. I liked my face better with a beard. Yes, there is vanity. But mostly it has become the reality of how comfortable I am with my beard…it has become a part of me. I like to say it gives me a sense of courage, wisdom and uniqueness (yes, more vanity) I feel I would not have if I shaved my beard….but I will…for a price.
When this fun fundraiser was proposed…I was a bit, well really more than just a bit, resistant to the idea. But each time we shared the idea with someone the laughter and joy, much like at Mass last Sunday, ultimately drew my heart to be open to the joy, the fun, the blessing that will occur. What am I truly sacrificing…check out the link to the “Catholic Gentlemen” below. Humbly I will walk forth clean shaven, when we make our goal, and share the joy by leaving behind the vanity of the beard and sharing the joy of the Gospel.
God Bless
Fr. Mark
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