Homily for Mass for Vocations
Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar
Thursday of the 3rd Week of Lent.
07-March-24
As we gather here this evening for Mass, we focus our prayer on vocations, particularly to priesthood in the Diocese of Meath and within our National Year for Vocation to the Diocesan Priesthood, with its theme “Take the risk for Christ”. We are called to reflect deeply on the meaning of vocation, particularly the call to priesthood. As we reflect, we are reminded of the journey of priesthood, a journey of commitment, service, faithful obedience to the voice of the Lord. In our journey through this Lenten season, today's readings from the Prophet Jeremiah (7: 23-28), the Responsorial Psalm (95: 1-2, 6-9), and the Gospel of Luke (11: 14-23) emphasize the importance of listening attentively to the voice of the Lord in our lives and guarding our hearts against indifference to God’s call.
Today, I celebrate the 21st anniversary of my Confirmation, on 7th March 2003, a pivotal moment in my journey of faith. Back then, as we prepared for Confirmation under the guidance of Fr. Gerry Stanley, our Parish Priest in Rathkenny, we were encouraged to pray regularly for the needs of our parish by using prayer cards, given to us by Fr. Stanley, a native of Mullingar.
Through these prayers, my prayer life took root and flourished throughout my teenage years into young adulthood. From reciting set prayers to embracing moments of silence in Eucharistic adoration and praying with the scriptures, these practices formed the foundation of my prayer life. They sustained my faith and guided my discernment of vocation, enabling me to tune into the Spirit bestowed upon me in Confirmation and to discern the voice of God in my life.
In the midst of our journey, we often encounter competing voices that drown out the voice of God. The clamor of our culture, the demands of our ego, and the deceptive whispers of the devil can obscure God's guidance and lead us astray from the path he has set before us. Yet, through prayer and discernment, we can attune our hearts to hear and follow God's voice above the noise of the world.
In Jeremiah, we hear of the consequences of refusing to listen to God's voice and the obstinacy of heart that leads us away from a relationship with God. The Psalm echoes this sentiment, urging us not to harden our hearts but to listen attentively to God's voice, ever ready to respond to his call. In the Gospel, Jesus performs a miraculous healing, releasing a man possessed by a devil, causing him to be dumb. In a symbolic sense, this man who is under the power of Satan and who is dumb, signifies for us times when we sin, when we are influenced by the power of Satan, and when our communication with God and others breaks down. This miraculous healing by Jesus underscores the power of God to free us from the bonds of sin and spiritual oppression, enabling us to communicate freely and spread his Good News. Jesus's ministry of healing is a testament to his authority over evil and his desire to restore wholeness to those who are afflicted. As priests, we are called to participate in Christ's healing ministry, to bring comfort and solace to the broken-hearted and the afflicted.
In a world that is often marked by division and discord, the ministry of the priesthood can stand as a beacon of hope and unity. Like Christ, who came to unite and to gather, priests are called to be agents of peace and reconciliation in a world that is longing for healing and wholeness. We are called to be instruments of healing and reconciliation through the sacraments, to gather God's people around the table of the Eucharist, and to accompany them on their journey of faith.
Recently, on February 24th 2024, Pope Francis in an address to the deacons of Rome gave a very insightful reflection on the call to priesthood. He reflected on one of the solemn promises made at ordination: "Do you resolve, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to discharge without fail the office of priesthood in the presbyteral rank, as worthy fellow workers with the Order of Bishops in caring for the Lord’s flock?” Looking at this promise, Pope Francis highlights three essential elements of the priestly ministry: faithful co-workers, servants of the people of God, and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Firstly, let us reflect on being faithful fellow workers. As priests, we are not called to lead in isolation but to collaborate in communion with our bishop, our fellow priests, our committed lay people, and the entire Church community in our parish and diocese. We are called to humility, recognizing that our ministry is not about personal agendas or ambitions but about serving the greater mission of the Church. Hence our ministry is one of communion, fraternity, and docility to the needs and voices of others.
Secondly, Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of being in the service of the people of God. Our journey towards priesthood begins with the ministry of deacon, a foundation built on the spirit of service exemplified by Jesus himself. Each day, we must pray for the grace to serve selflessly, to set aside our own desires and be open to God's surprises manifested through the needs of others – the ring of the doorbell by someone seeking a listening ear, the late-night call to the hospital, the spontaneous encounter with someone seeking counsel, or the pastoral outreach to a bereaved family after a sudden death of a loved one.
Finally, we are called to live and work under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Pope Francis reminds us that our lives must be oriented towards the Lord, allowing the Spirit to work in and through us. While we were anointed with chrism on the day of our ordination, through prayer, adoration, and intimacy with God's Word, we receive the daily anointing that empowers us for our ministry, the ministry of anointing the wounds of those who suffer with the oil of God’s mercy and love. Pope Francis calls priests to embark on a “Eucharistic adventure”, in other words, to follow the pattern of Christ who poured out his life on the cross and who continually gives himself to us in the Eucharist; we are called to give of overselves completely in sacrificial love in our prayer and ministry.
As we reflect on the call to priesthood, let us pray for vocations in our diocese. May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire and guide people, both young and mature, to respond generously to the call to serve God's people as priests. And may we, as a faith community, continue to support and encourage those who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood, knowing that they may be called to walk a sacred journey of prayer and service. Amen.
by Rev. Barry White, CC
Vocations Retreat Homily
Lismullin Retreat Centre
19-VIII-2023
Amen.
Very Rev. Tony Gonoude
Priest of the Diocese of Meath, Parish Priest of Ballynacarrigy, Vocations Director.