Today is being observed across the Diocese as Vocation Sunday. We are encouraged to talk or preach about vocation, to priestly, diaconate and religious life.
In our first reading, Israel is invited to love God with all their heart, all their soul and with all their strength. This is restated or reaffirmed by Christ himself in his answer to the scribe. He added, the second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is a deep connection between love and vocation. Love is the foundation of vocation. In the letter to the Hebrews, we are told that the priesthood of Christ does not pass away, he lives forever to intercede for us. As a priest, Christ was sinless and offered sacrifice for sins once and for all.
The Catholic Church needs more priests. We all have a vital role to play. First, we all can pray. Jesus said, “The harvest is plenty but the laborers are few, so pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his vineyard.” So, throughout this week, let's all devote time to praying to God to send us more priests, deacons and sisters.
To our dear young men in high school, college or those who have finished college and working and have not yet married, I humbly invite you to consider the priestly vocation for service in the Church. We need more priests so that parishes will have ministers of the Word and Sacraments. To preach the Word of salvation, the Gospel message, to administer the Sacraments to the faithful.
Dear young men who are here, you may be concerned about the sacrifice required to live as a priest, like living a celibate life. I get it. There is good news. When God calls, he gives enough spiritual gifts/grace required for the mission. St. Paul said, for the sake of Christ, he has decided to live a celibate life, live all his life without going into married life. John the Baptist also lived a celibate life. John the beloved, one of the Apostles of Christ was also a celibate. Jesus said to St. Paul: “My grace is enough for you.” Every vocation whether married or priesthood will always have to be lived under the saving mystery of the Cross. Sacrifice is always needed in any vocation.
People have asked me why I become a priest? The answer is simple, I became a priest because I love God so much who sent his Son to suffer, die and redeem me. I became a priest because I love the church, the Holy Body of Christ. So, priestly vocation is love responding to divine love. Love is the true foundation of every authentic vocation. Dear young men here, is the Lord calling you to become a priest? Do not be afraid to say yes, because it's a source of great joy, a privilege and honor of a lifetime.
May God our Father, the Lord of the vineyard, inspire our young men and women to hear his call, and have the love and courage to say yes for his glory, service of the Church and the salvation of the world.