Monday - 6th Week of Easter

Gospel – John 15:26 – 16:4

Tis the Season!

Ordination 2015

 

Tis the Season!  No, it’s not Christmas just yet.  But it is Ordination Season.  Throughout the country, we continue to see news of Ordination Masses – transitional deacons, permanent deacons and priests being called to serve the Church.  For the deacon, it means the beginning of his ministry to the Word, to the Liturgy and to Charity.  Among his ministries, it is his calling to proclaim the Gospel and preach, to preside at Baptisms, witness marriages, and assist at Eucharistic liturgies, and to be a witness to the Gospel by a life of service to others.

Ordination Day!  It is a day full of words and promises, of pledges and testimony!  Much like what we hear in today’s Gospel!   “The Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.”

At one very special moment in the Ordination Rite, I placed my hands on the Book of the Gospels and the Bishop addressed these words to me: “Receive the Book of the Gospel whose herald you have become. Believe what you read. Teach what you believe. Practice what you teach."

Aren’t we all called to spread the Good News?  Aren’t we all missioned to believe what we read in the Gospels, to teach what we believe and to practice what we teach?  To spread the Good News in our words and in our actions!  Just as today’s Gospel tells us – You also will testify!!!

Filled with the Spirit, we are all called to testify to the Truth!  May that same Spirit grant us strength for the journey and zeal for our ministry!

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