Nothing But You, Lord: Reflections on the Priesthood
Nothing But You, Lord: Reflections on the Priesthood
Reflections on the Priesthood and Priestly Formation through the Lens of Bishop Robert Barron
by John P. Cush
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In 1990, Pope John Paul II spoke of a “crisis of priestly identity.” Decades later, the crisis is not over, and the lack of a clear sense of priestly identity is the single greatest obstacle to the proper formation of priests today.
In Nothing But You, Lord, longtime seminary professor and formation advisor Fr. John Cush draws on the thought of Bishop Robert Barron to recover the fundamentals of what it means to be a Catholic priest. Fr. Cush explores the qualities and character of the priest; the role of hope amidst priestly abuses and failures; and the four dimensions of priestly formation—human, intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral—outlined by Pope John Paul II.
Featuring a foreword by Bishop John Barres, Nothing But You, Lord is an encouraging return to the basics of the Catholic priesthood.
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What People are Saying
“The priesthood is one of the most beautiful and challenging of vocations. It invites a man to conformity to Christ, to instrumental participation in Christ’s sacramental economy, and to a responsibility for the mission of the Church in teaching and governance. Fr. John Cush in this work takes inspiration from the theology of Bishop Robert Barron, so as to present us with a spiritually balanced and theologically demanding vision of the priesthood and of seminary formation. An excellent reference for formators and seminarians, this work reflects both hope and experience. It is a sign of confidence in a constructive future for the Catholic priesthood, one founded upon truth and the desire for holiness.”
—Thomas Joseph White, OP, Rector of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome
“When I first began teaching seminarians, I published a paper in the now defunct journal Church. When I went to look for my essay, another essay in the same issue caught my eye. It was Robert Barron’s ‘Priest As Doctor of the Soul.’ It was a joyous read. There really was someone out there who looked upon priestly formation in mystical terms, refusing to reduce it to the popular emphasis at that time: professionalism. Here was a theologian who wanted to form priests in divine mystery so that they in turn could invite parishioners into the same. That was a vocation worth living. Now, in this book, we have Fr. John Cush’s own mature thought on priestly formation woven together with Barron’s image of priesthood and the thinking of the Church. All three strands knit a compelling read. I would hope that this book’s vision of priesthood becomes a source for formators’ imaginations. Every seminarian should read this work. It is a powerful gift to seminary formation.”
—Deacon James Keating, Professor of Spiritual Theology, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
“Fr. John Cush, a systematic theologian with long experience in seminary formation, offers a fine study and exposition of Bishop Barron’s illuminating insights into priestly identity and formation. But Fr. Cush also speaks from his personal experience of the joys and challenges of priesthood. His book appears at a propitious time when the Church once again ponders the indispensable ministry of the priest, as it seeks to understand more fully, in synodal conversation, the meaning and implications of communion and mission in Christ.”
—Fr. Robert P. Imbelli, Priest of the Archdiocese of New York, author of Christ Brings All Newness
