“The Priesthood, given from Jesus Christ, is not in the darkness of decline but is a ministry of His Light.”
Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Johnstown
33rd Sunday of Ordianry Time
17 -November-24
As the light of this winter day fades, we are delighted to be here in Johnstown- Waterstown Parish, in this wonderful church, dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady. It is also interesting to note that the other church of this parish, is dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Mother. Two book ends of the life of the greatest vocation of the Mother of God; her birth and her going to the eternal light of her Son, Jesus.
It is true to say we are in the night of winter and perhaps, we feel that the call to the Sacred Priesthood is somehow in the dark of our ever-illuminated world; social media, fast living, not taking any decisions but living in the now, are all lights that draw the attention of the young man who can feel drawn away from that seemingly distant light that may be attracting him. Perhaps, to dispel the darkness, we might reflect on the brilliance of the reading for Evening Prayer
“What you have come to is Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem where the millions of angels have gathered for the festival, with the whole Church in which everyone is a ‘first-born son’ and a citizen of heaven. You have come to God himself, the supreme Judge, and been placed with spirits of the saints who have been made perfect; and to Jesus, the mediator who brings a new covenant and a blood for purification which pleads more insistently than Abel’s” (Hebrews 12:22-24)
In Mount Zion, the true Jerusalem there is no darkness, no confusion, no hesitating, only life as a citizen of heaven, with Christ at its center. As we hear in Revelation
"And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God did light it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” (Revelation 21:23).
Jerusalem has a light that remains. Yes, Christ is the true light that illuminates the streets of history. His brilliance is still shining into the lives of the men He wishes to call; in school, college, and work, at home or among friends, despite the many passing glimmers of distractions. Jesus still shines with the same glory that made Peter say, “Lord it is wonderful for us to be here” (cf. Matthew 17:4). If you feel called to the Sacred Priesthood, then know that Jesus wants you to be a light for others. The lights of this word fade but the ever-shining Jesus never dimes, never goes out or away. At the altar, in the sacraments, when he prays, when he blesses and preaches, the priest is a diffuser of the rays of hope, love, mercy, healing, enlightenment, mercy and teaching that comes from the heart of the Christ-Priest. Through the vocation of the Priesthood, God’s citizens are given a path to become true inhabitants of the heavenly city. You could say the priest is a bringer of Christ’s light to the night of time. As the day becomes night, we have seen that despite the darkness that seems to envelope the call to follow Jesus Christ, that His light is stronger. Among young Catholics, among those who wish to truly practice their faith; we see glimmers of true hope and joy. They so need priests to guide them into the years ahead, to not say yes tomorrow but today, to give their lives joyfully on the way to the city of God. The Lord is shining His light towards you; you who feel called. He so wants you to walk with Him, to bring others to Him. He speaks to your heart in class, in lectures, in work, at home, with your friends. He desires you to be Him for others. Like Peter, say to Jesus, tell Him, Lord it is wonderful for me to be here, to be with you, to follow you. Don’t ignore the light, follow it.
This great Church has a light at its center that is Christ the Lord. In this tabernacle, overshadowed by His image of suffering on the cross, we have His person here with us. Jesus shines out from here, as He does in every church in our diocese. In this sacred place, we are drawn to the story of its dedication, The Nativity of Mary. Into the lives of Sts Joachim and Ann, comes the light of God’s miracle; they are to become parents to a girl who will be a home for the great star that will shine out through the skies of the ages; Jesus her Son. Mary has something special in her, she is without the darkness of sin, an open tabernacle for the Lord to come into and to go out into the world from. Let us look at the home of the grandparents of the Carpenter; it is simple, loving, hardworking and open to the daring plans of God. In this dwelling, Mary is at the school of vocation; she learns to pray, to be open, to love, to be strong and to lead, even as a very young woman. Her parents have taught her in the ways of God; their home is indeed a light from the heavens here with us. This is why when Mary is approached by the angel, that she says yes to the opening of the door of God’s house, to let Jesus come to us ( cf. Luke 1:26-38). Mary is open to the vocation God has for her. She will work so hard for her Son; she will overcome fears and face dangers, she will stand and watch as Joseph teaches Him a trade and she will listen to His magnetic words, witness His miracles and see Him on the cross. On Calvary, surrounded by the darkness of death, she stands as a witness to the light of Jesus. She will console the apostles, hear of His resurrection and never tire in her calling. Her words at the first miracle of Jesus act as an epitaph for her life, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:3).At the end of her life, the Mother who had given birth to life is assumed into that life and knows not the desecration of death. In this way, her heart so given for Jesus, remains with Him in body and soul. From the home of her parents, to Nazareth, to her being with the Lord, to her caring for His followers, Mary has been at the school of a true vocation and teaches us how to follow the light of Christ. She is the true tabernacle of God’s light.
The Priesthood, given from Jesus Christ, is not in the darkness of decline but is a ministry of His Light. The call of men to follow Jesus is as vibrant, new and miraculous now, as it was for Peter and the disciples. Christ is the light of every parish, every church, and every place of prayer. He is the illumination that directs the life of every priest. The home of the young Mary and her life as the Mother who said yes, are our example in how to live our vocation. Say yes today to becoming Christ for others. As the evening falls and light fades, look to the light of the Priesthood and give our diocese lights of Christ as priests in our parishes. Be with Him joyfully as Peter and let our Blessed Mother’s words be your inspiration Do whatever he tells you Amen.
Very Rev. Tony Gonoude
Priest of the Diocese of Meath, Parish Priest of Ballynacarrigy, Vocations Director.