The journey of understanding His divine love

Photo: Father Steven Vetter (Bismarck), Deacon Robert Kinyon, Father Matthew Schilmoeller (Lincoln), and Father Josh Hill Bismarck) pose for a photo in Rome. 

By Deacon Robert Kinyon

Standing on the verge of my ordination to the priesthood, I look back on my years of formation with a deep sense of gratitude to God for His tender and patient love, a love that has proven itself as a trustworthy foundation upon which my life can stand. God has tremendously blessed my all-too-wary response to His vocational invitation by providing me with opportunities and experiences that have already exceeded my wildest dreams for life.

Being sponsored to study at fine universities, living in the city of Rome for several years, and cultivating deep and loving friendships with many good people, I can confidently say that I have received more than my due in life. At the top of this list of blessings, however, stands the experience of coming to know, taste, and eventually accept, as the basis of my identity, the personal love that God has for me.

The journey of understanding this Divine Love as the true meaning and protagonist of my life has, no doubt, been an ongoing and imperfect process. It has forced me to acknowledge that my worth extends far beyond my list of accomplishments, as tempted as I oftentimes am to evaluate myself according to vain criteria. Accepting God’s love as the basis of my identity has given me the courage to acknowledge my inadequacies and limitations, and it has brought God’s light into my personal darkness.

In a matter of days, my name will change, and my role within the world will be augmented. I will be called Father Robert, and I will be expected to officially act on behalf of the Church and Christ Himself. My identity as the true Father’s son, however, will remain the same. Pray that I never forget whose child I am and that I remain faithful to Him.