In light of our Gospel of the Good Shepherd reading this 4th Sunday of Easter, Pope Francis, continues the tradition of our previous Popes in dedicating Good Shepherd Sunday as World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The special characteristics of priesthood, the deaconate and religious life include unique aspects of sacrifice and commitment. Unless a monk or nun, most priests and religious vowed lives include that of public service and ministry in the world. Married Permanent Deacons, along with their spouses, are also committed to a life of ministry and service in the Church and world.
Priesthood and life as a religious include the celibate life; the idea of not having a spouse and children is often contrary to society’s view of what a good fulfilled life should be. However, a vocation to a vowed celibate chaste life undergirds the vocation to married life in many ways. For it includes a full ministry to the laity by priests, deacons, religious women and men that provides spiritual support, counsel, and prayers for married couples, single parents, divorced, widowed, and all stations of lay life. A consecrated-ordained life has a certain freedom necessary to serve the Lord and His people unencumbered.
The rewards and life of a priest or a religious are not comparable to any other life. I am not saying the benefits and fulfillment are better—they are just very different. As I’ve shared with many of you-in homilies or other talks/reflections, I know firsthand since I’m remarkably fortunate to have had full life experience in military service, business success, global travel and work, prior to priesthood. From corporate success and riches, to conversion back to Christ and our Church, from a vowed life of poverty as an ordained Dominican priest to a Papal release from those vows to serve as a Diocesan priest; the conversion continues—I’m not there yet nor is God done with me yet.
Through my many lives, there has been one constant, the knowledge of being loved by God and that love filled with mercy, forgiveness and the encouragement to use all the gifts I have been blessed with to make a difference through his presence in me. I have always felt the presence of the Lord in my life. His intimate closeness was manifested at my ordination as I lie prostrate on the floor in front of His altar of Sacrifice in an act of humility and surrender, forming my body in the cross at the foot of the altar of sacrifice. Then the chant of the litany of the saints began and the call to the Holy Spirit along with my trembling with tears of joy, fears, humility, and unworthiness.
The repeat of priestly surrender to Christ Crucified takes place in nearly every church –every Good Friday. Priests reprise that small gesture of humility in prostration before the empty tabernacle of Christ. Lying on the floor, once again, priests are reminded that we represent the Good Shepherd, strive to imitate Him, but are far less than. We continue to be called to our vocation of deeper conversion, to love others more for what our Lord has done for us.
That presence again this morning—waking up and going to my altar in my room where I am blessed to have the Blessed Sacrament—at the beginning of my day and at the end. At each opportunity, he serves to remind me to pray for all of you and carry you spiritually with me—to his altar in the church, to the one in my room, to any altar I approach—just one difference a celibate ordained life can offer.
The vocation I live is filled with life at all times and in all ways—it is filled with the sacredness of your lives, so often shared with me in confidence—intimate sorrow, pain, losses, needs—joys—you are treasures to take to prayer. This remarkable grace from God in ministry and witness has helped to grow and understand that my vocation is who I am, not just what I do. Our counter-societal witness all the world needs.
As we celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Vocations and Good Shepherd Sunday, it also is important to acknowledge the good shepherds that are multiplying through the gifts of you our wonderful laity—and our school and parish staff. Claiming your role as guiding in the footsteps of the Shepherd, whether in classrooms, in service for those in need and homeless; there are many shepherds as well, those who “tend the flock.” Many volunteers that witness the Shepherd love and care include Marian Visitors that take His Communion to those who are homebound or hospitalized; others include those who catechize our children, and in adult education and RCIA, serve as lectors and Eucharistic ministers, Altar Society, prison ministry, Vet’s Home ministers, greeters/ushers, our musicians and choirs; the oversight of parish finances, and help with our parish and school outreach. Helping the needs of others in our greater community are also the Dads and Kids volunteers. There are many other ministers and organizations in English and Spanish that lives his mission- vocation witness.
Vocations are a continued great need in our Church and world—a need you are called to help fulfill in your vocation in Christ, the encouragement to your children to seek ordained or religious life, and to examine daily How are you saying yes to Him?