(Listen to this homily here).
With gratitude to God, I am celebrating my third anniversary
to the priesthood today.
Ordination
weekend three years ago was the best weekend of my life—hands down. I was ordained on a Friday
afternoon. This was the moment in
which I was consecrated and sealed to be a priest for all eternity. If you have never been to an ordination
try to get to one! Saturday
morning I presided at my first Mass with my family and friends in
attendance. Sunday morning
featured a Mass of thanksgiving at my home parish, Holy Family, in
McGregor. My best friends served
as lectors, musicians, ushers and extraordinary ministers of holy
Communion. It was a joyful weekend
all around.
This
morning we heard about Abraham (at this point Abram). In the 12th chapter of Genesis—the 12th
chapter of the whole Bible—God simply tells Abram, “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and
from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.” Abram’s response: “Abram went as the LORD
directed him…” Abraham
is rightly called our father in faith.
He followed God without hesitation, without excuse, without question.
If
I have learned anything in three years of priesthood, it is that the closer we follow God’s will, the happier
we are. I love a quote from
Pope Benedict XVI I have quoted before: “Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you
everything. When we give ourselves
to him, we receive a hundredfold in return.” Like the countless men and women who have gone before us, let
us not be afraid to follow Christ unreservedly!
Finally,
this morning I humbly ask of your prayers. Pray that I may be a healthy, happy and holy priest. As I said when I arrived last summer, I
want only to lead you to Jesus.
Pray that I may be such a bridge—and never an obstacle—to Jesus. Pray that I may receive wisdom for
difficult decisions I need to make as a pastor.
It
is an honor to serve you and your families—please pray that I may do so
faithfully!
No comments:
Post a Comment