It’s neither my age nor my IQ. In fact it used to be a fairly insignificant number until the late Douglas Adams selected it for the answer to the ultimate question of “life, the universe, and everything.” The conundrum in his series, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, was that 42 made no sense until one understood what the actual question was regarding life, the universe and everything.
I post this brief reflection on Adam’s ongoing joke because today is the 42nd anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. No celebrations, other than a nice dinner planned.
On explanation of 42 that’s been going around for a while is that in the ASCII table the character assigned to 42 is the asterisk, and the asterisk is a wildcard in searching for items on your computer. In other words, 42 means whatever you want it to mean. So much for philosophy and metaphysics.
Of course, I don’t buy that theory, or at least not entirely. It may or may not be what Douglas Adams meant in his story, but there is meaning and purpose in the universe way beyond our limited and transient self-definitions. On the other hand, 42 years of being a priest and most of the functioning in a parish have helped shape an understanding of priesthood that has moved beyond the limits of ecclesiastical definition. This understanding does base itself on both historical and denominational definitions of Christian priesthood, but it now encompasses much more. Some of that “much more” has been addressed in earlier postings. More may appear here from time to time.
In the meantime, today is 42 in terms of Holy Orders and though I haven’t yet found the question to the answer proposed by Adams whether in regard to the universe or in regard to Holy Orders, I’m enjoying the journey.
The Apprentice Priest 
“Thanks for all the fish” – wonder if that’d do OK on my tombstone?
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