Deacon Steve's Homily - Thankful for our Priests - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time – B

Good morning!

Today’s readings remind us of God’s great generosity. A generosity that can never be outdone.  In our first reading from 2^nd Kings, Elisha tells his servant that 20 barley loaves and fresh grain would be sufficient to feed 100 people. Of course the servant objected but did as he was instructed. It was more than sufficient, more than generous, because there were leftovers. And then in today’s Gospel reading from John, we read the story of Jesus multiplying the loaves and the fishes. Just as he did at the Last Supper, Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them. This is familiar to all of us because it’s the same thing that our priests do at each and every mass. Each mass that is said is a reminder to all of us of God’s great generosity because we are fed at each mass with the body and blood of Christ. Christ himself instituted the priesthood at the Last Supper so that we could feed on his body and blood at each and every mass. The mass and the priesthood are both signs of God’s great generosity. 

Dear friends, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect upon the priesthood today. Last month, on June 4^th, at the cathedral, Archbishop Tobin ordained 3 men to the priesthood. Fathers Andy Syberg, Michael Keucher, and Adam Ahern were ordained as our newest priests in the Archdiocese. Our pastor, Father Steve, was ordained on June 5, 1993 and has been a priest for 22 years. Our associate pastor, Fr. Tim, was ordained with Fr. Dave on June 7, 2014 and has been a priest for 1 year. These men and all those men who are priests here and throughout the world have given their lives in service to the Church because of their immense love for Jesus. 

This year is the Year of Grace and 5 years ago was the Year of the Priest. In June 2009, Pope Benedict XVI wrote a letter to the clergy announcing the Year of the Priest. Here are of few of his words from that letter:

“ “The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus”, the saintly Curé of Ars, John Vianney, would often say. This touching expression makes us reflect, first of all, with heartfelt gratitude on the immense gift which priests represent, not only for the Church, but also for humanity itself. I think of all those priests who quietly present Christ’s words and actions each day to the faithful and to the whole world, striving to be one with the Lord in their thoughts and their will, their sentiments and their style of life.”

We have had some wonderful priests here at SSFC. Our first two pastors Fr. Steve Jarrell and Fr. Vince. And now we have Fr. Steve Giannini as our pastor. Our associates Fr. Mike, Fr. Anto, Fr. Dave and our current associate Fr. Tim. And who could forget Fr. Martin and Fr. Joe Moriarty who served briefly at our parish. Each one of these men unique yet with a common goal – to be Christ to us. To act in persona Christi. Where would the church be without priests? Where would we at SSFC be without our priests?

Through our baptismal call we all share in the common priesthood of Jesus.  We are all called to spread the Good News and to draw others closer to Christ.  However, Jesus instituted the Sacraments and founded the priesthood to administer the sacraments and to show us God’s great generosity. This special group of men, shaped and formed in the image of Christ, represent Christ on earth. As St. Paul said in his letter to the Ephesians:

“I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received”

They are called to live holy lives and to shepherd the people entrusted to them, to pray with them and for them, and to celebrate the sacraments with them.

Our priests have all been sent to us by God to show us His generosity. And God challenges us to grow in faith through the ministry of a particular priest. Each priest has different charisms and different personalities. Some priests are extroverts, some are introverts.

Some are gifted homilists while others work hard to develop and deliver their homilies. Some can sing beautifully, while others sing not so beautifully. Some are wonderful listeners and gifted counselors. All of them, though, are human and God uses each of them, as they are, with their strengths and with their weaknesses, to extend His generosity to all of us. We appreciate each of them for answering the call to dedicate their lives in ministry to God’s people. We are thankful that we have our priests to minister to us and to represent Christ in our community.

Jesus uses his priests to feed us, the faithful. He uses his priests to forgive our sins, to preach the good news, and to anoint the sick. Without our priests we would have no Mass, no Eucharist, no Reconciliation, and no anointing of the sick. Without our priests, we wouldn’t have these sacraments.  The richness of our Catholic faith would be compromised.  Our church would be so different.

My friends, let’s reflect upon the priesthood and how it is proof of God’s great generosity.

Let’s commit ourselves to praying each day for our priests, asking God to lift them up and to nourish them in their ministry. And let’s pray for vocations to the priesthood. Let’s encourage young men right here at SSFC to consider a call to the priesthood. Our priests, who we love and support, who we depend on, depend on us as well. Let’s keep them in our prayers, and affirm them in their ministry. Thank you Fr. Steve and Fr. Tim for saying ‘yes’ to God’.

Thank you for being a sign to all of us of God’s great generosity!