Vocations to the Priesthood

            Today’s readings lead me to reflect about one of the greatest lives there is.  That is the life of a priest.  Now, please understand that I have a deep, deep respect for the life of the married couple and for family life.  I believe that marriage is a vocation, a calling from God to find him in others.  I see countless sacrifices that husbands and wives make for each other and the parents make for their children.  I see the continual response to love that our children give all of us, particularly their parents.  I respect those who are called to the single life.  I see how generous most of you are with your time and talent, serving the Lord in our parish and in many other charities.

            Today, I want our young people and their parents to know that your priests have also been called to another type of life which is full of wonder, love and the presence of God.

            We priests are called upon to reflect upon scripture continually.  The Word of God is living and effective.  As we consider how we can develop particular readings, we are drawn into a personal experience of the Word of God.  Most people look forward to a few moments a day when they can reflect on Scripture.  For the priest this is lifestyle.

            We priests are called upon to celebrate the most important times in our parishioners lives.  We baptize your children, celebrate the weddings of your sons and daughters, and bury your loved ones.  We visit your friends and family in the hospital.  You invite us to share your hopes and your fears in our offices.  You humble us with your sincere desire for forgiveness in the confession.

            The reason why I am speaking about this today is that our readings, more than on the so-called vocation Sundays, point towards vocations to a special service of the Lord, the priesthood and the religious life.  The first reading is the call of Isaiah the prophet.  He recognizes that he is not worthy, but he trusts in God.  God purifies him for his mission.  Isaiah calls out: Here I am, Lord.   The second reading presents Paul recognizing that he is an apostle not by his own doing, but due to the choice of God.  The Gospel reading presents Jesus choosing his disciples.  The readings speak about the call to a special service of the Lord.

            The priest is called not just to teach about the Lord, but to make the experience of Jesus real for the Lord’s people. Many times we are aware when this is happening.  Sometimes, we are totally unaware.  It makes no difference.  It is the Lord working, not us, in fact, sometimes it is the Lord working despite us.

            You don’t know how many times, countless times, that people have said to me, “Father, it really made a difference to me when you said this or did that.”  And I don’t remember saying it or doing it.  That’s when I’m reminded that God does the work.  Sometimes, I work hard to develop a particular point in a sermon.  Then as I am writing my sermon, I just throw in a side point and that leads a person to an experience of the Lord.

            It is a very humbling experience to be a priest because we know how very limited we are in all aspects of our lives, including our spirituality and our personal living of Christianity; yet, God still works through us.

            One of the nicest things that anyone has said to me was the gentleman in our parish who told me; “You really love being a priest, don’t you?”  That’s the truth.  I love being a priest.  I love being called on in all sorts of difference situations.  I love baptizing children and watching them grow.  I love the hugs they give me on Sundays.  I love watching their parents grow as they give more and more of themselves to their children, to each other, and, in the same action, to the Lord.  I love helping young couples prepare for marriage and then celebrating their big day with them.  I love baptisms, and First Communions, particularly talking to the Moms and Dads.  I love watching middle school and high school kids recognize their faith and share it with others, particularly in youth retreats or in parish programs like Life Teen and the Edge.  I love doing things you wouldn’t expect anyone would love.  I love being called upon in moments of crisis and grief.  I love reminding people at the most difficult times of their lives that God is with them.  I enjoy saying Mass.  When I celebrate Mass, I pray and the Lord does.  I enjoy the liturgical seasons.  They force me to examine my own living of the life of Christ: my need for Christ during Advent, the presence of Christ during Christmastime, my frail humanity during Lent, the eternal gifts of the Lord during Easter, the life of the Sprit at Pentecost, and the  ever new message of Christ during the year.

            Sometimes I read in the paper or see on the news how a young person in their twenties or thirties has given up on life.  They feel that their lives can go no further.  They don’t see any hope for the future.  They fall into patterns of self destructive behavior because they don’t care about the future.

            To me, as a priest, this is so sad.  My life has tremendous opportunities for the future all of which I am looking forward to.  I still feel very young, like a high school student excited by the myriad of experiences life has to offer.  I am looking forward to the continual growth in God’s love that the people I serve offer me.  I am looking forward to finding new ways to be fresh and new for them.  I am looking forward to baptizing the children of those whom I have baptized.  I am looking forward to someday writing that book that others have told me I should write.

            Life is good for a priest, very good.

            Now, I must ask the parents.  Can you convey this to your children?  When people encourage their children to consider the priesthood, they don’t just fulfill a need that the community has for priests.  They encourage their children to enter into a life with unlimited possibilities for happiness.  What greater life can there be then one which provides  continual experiences of God’s presence.

            My vocation to the priesthood flowed from the lives of my parents.  They always told me that this was the greatest life possible and one I should embrace if that was God’s will for me.  Do the same for your children.  Encourage your sons to become priests.  Encourage your daughters to become nuns.  God will call those whom he has a mission for by using your voice.