DRIVE SAFELY!!!

ADVICE TO A NEW DRIVER, (A NEW PRIEST)

By Fr. Casmir Odundo

My fellow motorist, 

How wonderful to call you that today and always. Drive Safely!

Congratulations on successfully completing your driving course at the driving school (Seminary) and on receiving your license. I know you cannot wait to get on the road! Drive safely! . 

Never forget what you learnt in driving school. Keep the traffic rules! Remember that other aspiring drivers are looking up to you, they want to see your confidence, courtesy, so that perhaps they can join the same driving school and become good drivers. Be a good ambassador, drive safely!

You will realize that learning never ends. There are many things that were not taught in the driving school that you will find out slowly by yourself as you drive. There are also many modern roads coming up, like the soon to be launched 'Express Way'. Keep learning my brother, drive safely!

Your first 5,000 kilometers will be the most exciting but perhaps the most challenging. You might  lack confidence here and there. You might shake a bit when you see those huge tracks. The highway can be a little confusing. You might also make a mistake or two. Don't worry we were all there too. Step by Step, my fellow motorist. Be patient, confidence takes time.  Drive Safely!

Remember that you have been trained and licensed to drive all the cars. The Busses, the Lorries, the Small Cars, the Nissans, you name them! Don’t be choosy. That is not a characteristic of a good driver. Drive safely!

Did I also tell you that you will drive on different kinds of roads: Tarmac, Murram, Earth roads, highways etc. Every road has its challenges. Don’t aim at being only a highway or tarmac driver. Believe in God and yourself. You can make it on any road. After all,  once in a while it will be important to try out your four wheel drive (Perseverance).Drive Safely!  

Remember, my fellow motorist, that you cannot drive  a car without fuel (Mass). Celebrate your Mass. Do not drive without checking the fuel. Celebrate Mass devotedly. The Eucharist is the Supreme reason for ordained priesthood. Celebrate Mass everyday. Drive on full tank. Drive safely.

Please don't forget your car keys. Which is the Love of God. Use this love to ignite the car, (people’s hearts) remembering that Christ’s Love compels us. (2 Cor 5:14-15). Drive safely!

My brother, always check  the oil. Remember the ‘oil of your ordination.’ The perfume of holiness.  Make sure that it is clean and that it does not  run out. Drive safely.

Don’t drive a car without insurance. Make sure that you get a cover before the insurance expires. This Insurance is God’s grace and we lose it when we offend God by sin but we can regain it in the sacrament of confession. Be a good confessor by being first and foremost a good and regular penitient. Get your insurance. Drive safely!

Remember that your car has four wheels. These represent the four areas of priestly formation. Spiritual, Intellectual, Human and Pastoral. Make sure that all  your tyres are working! Check there could be a puncture.  Are all your four wheels balanced?  Many things happen on the road. That is why you should always carry a spare wheel. One day it will be handy. Carry your stole, holy oils  and Mass Kit. You never know who or what you will meet. Drive Safely.

You will not be the only one with a car on the road. Some are already ahead of you. Others are following from behind. Others are coming from the opposite direction. There is no competition.  Everyone has a destination. Be courteous. Be patient in Traffic Jams.  If someone wants to overtake you, let him. Sometimes you will also have to overtake. Make sure you do that only when its necessary and when the road is clear, then return to your lane! Be zealous but not ambitious. Be courteous on the road, stop and help where necessary.  Don't be afraid to ask for help. Drive safely!

Caution! Always hold on to the Steering wheel (Holy Spirit) firmly and cling to it with both hands. Remember to always put your feet back on the brake pedal because many times you will have to reduce the speed. Other times you will have to stop. Never drive a car without brakes. Remember what you were told in “driving school” “an unexamined life is not worth living.” Examine your conscience daily. Make use of your brake pedal. Drive Safely!

Use your eyes and mirrors as well. Always look ahead and constantly check what is happening behind you and around you.  As a priest you must always be aware of your surroundings with your eyes fixed to heaven, our destination. These mirrors represent what the Germans call, the "zeitgeist" the signs of the times. While the windscreen, which protects you and through which you must always look out via is God’s will. Drive safely.

Choose your mechanic  wisely. Let him be knowledgeable and experienced. Take your car to him on a regular basis for maintenance and repair (Spiritual Direction). I must warn you that accidents may happen on the road. Sometimes through your fault other times not through your fault. No one is perfect, even the best drivers make blunders. You do your best, learn from your mistakes and leave the rest to God. Drive safely.

Remember that the most important part of the car is the engine. And Christ is the Engine who holds your priesthood together. Let Him reign and  be the centre of your life, the protagonist of your History. Regnare Christum Volumus! We must let Christ reign! Drive safely!

The driver's seat is important too. Make sure that it is always in position. This seat is of course, Our Lady, Our Hope and the Seat of Wisdom. Remember that you have a Father and a Mother in heaven. When you are tired after driving for many hours, do not be ashamed to rest on the laps of your Mamma like a little boy, for she indeed is the Seat of Wisdom. Again, may She who is the Mother of Jesus, the Eternal Priest, always accompany you, as you Drive Safely!

Dedicated to the eight men, our brothers: Patson, Samuel, Dennis, Boniface, Paul,John, Christopher and Joseph newly ordained priests. Ordained on Friday 15th October 2021 at Christ the King Cathedral, Nakuru, by our Bishop, Rt. Rev. Maurice Muhatia Makumba. 

THANKS BE TO GOD!