Episcoblog - The Online Journal of the Rt. Rev. Leo Michael

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April 12, 2006

From cowboy to Shepherd

God's ways are mysterious. And my life is a proof of His amazing ways of Providential Love and Care. April 8,2006 was a momentous day in my life when I was consecrated Bishop in the United Episcopal Church of North America.

The Almighty has done marvelous things for me and holy is His name. Oh how shall thank the Lord for His goodness to me.

I’m humbled and honored by His choice; that he chose this lowly servant to be His instrument of peace, love, compassion and kindness. I wish to express my deep sentiments of gratitude to Almighty God, to my parents Joseph and Thecla Michael, to my wife Holly; but for whom I would not be here, to Archbishop Stephen Reber and Judy Reber, to the UECNA, its clergy and members, and my beloved vestry and members of St. Gabriel’s who have been open to God’s holy will, and to all my friends who are present here whose continued support in the past has seen me through tough times and has brought me to this day. In a short time through their understanding and accommodation we have been able to realize many things and I am sure we will be realizing more. Though my family could not be present, my mother is in unison with our celebration through her prayers. She is 83 and does not miss her daily Mass even up to this day. I would be ungrateful if I do not recognize the Society of Don Bosco and St. John Bosco, a great dreamer and accomplisher of God’s mission for the youth: Give me souls, take away the rest: To the Greater Glory of God and Salvation of Souls.

To those who look at my life and say what a lucky fellow, here is a Chinese story that would best reflect my sentiments. This was my first homily after my ordination to the priesthood. And this pretty much has become the attitude of my life:

There is a Chinese story of a farmer who used an old horse to till his fields. One day, the horse escaped into the hills and when the farmer's neighbors sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?" A week later, the horse returned with a herd of horses from the hills and this time the neighbors congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was, "Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?"
Then, when the farmer's son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone thought this very bad luck. Not the farmer, whose only reaction was, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?"
Some weeks later, the army marched into the village and conscripted every able-bodied youth they found there. When they saw the farmer's son with his broken leg, they let him off. Now was that good luck or bad luck?
Who knows?
Everything that seems on the surface to be an evil may be a good in disguise. And everything that seems good on the surface may really be an evil. So we are wise when we leave it to God to decide what is good fortune and what misfortune, and thank him that all things turn out for good with those who love him.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose". Now I am convinced of this: Good Luck or Bad Luck, God Knows and He will take care of you for He is faithful

God has been richly blessing the UECNA and we have a mission to fulfill and a commission to accomplish, namely serving the Lord and looking after His flock after the heart of the Good Shepherd until His second coming. UECNA is a haven for all those who are seeking orthodoxy, tradition and sacramental liturgy. UECNA does not own any property but its sole mission is the care of souls. My sincere thanks to Dr. Dick Johanson, whose experiences as an advisor to many bishops during his professional life, whose wisdom and guidance I count on, who has practically taken the place of my late dad. God bless him and his family for being faithful stewards of his kingdom. We thank the Lord for the numerous dedicated men of God who are serving in the UECNA and we hope someday we will have the possibility of a spirituality center, a seminary in this very Emma Avenue, where God continues to care for His people.

My heartfelt thanks to God Almighty, my parents Joseph and Thakela Michael, Holly my wife,who is the strength and support in the ministry, the Most Reverend Stephen C.Reber, the Presiding Bishop, to the vestry and clergy of St.Gabriel's Episcopal Church, Springdale AR, who are all part of this Miracle on Emma Avenue. Our thanks to the co-consecrators, Rt. Rev. David Hustwick, Rt. Rev.Steve Murrell, Rt. Rev. James McNaley and the visiting Bishops Rt. Rev. Preley Hutchens, Rt. Rev. Rommie Starks and Rt. Rev. Bryan Iverach. Thanks to all those who graced this occasion and all those who couldn't make it. May God bless us all.

Posted by frleo at April 12, 2006 10:34 AM

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