Seminary Appeal Talk

This is a slightly edited representation of my address to Our Lady of Victory parish this past Sunday (September 23^rd). The readings for that day may be found here.

Seminary Appeal Talk

I would like to talk about vocations, specifically the vocation to the priesthood. We can see from the many different people gathered here that God has called us to married life and single life. Likewise, many of you have a great number of occupations that you were drawn to as well. But God also calls young men to consider the priesthood as his calling in life. The call to the priesthood and a unique life of service is given a special prominence in the Gospels and New Testament as a whole. All are called to conversion but only a select few are called to serve as Christ for the sake of His people.

The Apostles are a prime example of this call. Jesus Christ entered into their lives—He sought them out—and commanded them to follow. The Apostles are a group of different men and it is worthwhile, I think, to look at their responses.

Peter was a fisherman, and when Christ entered into His life Peter fell on his knees and said “Leave me Lord for I am a sinful man” to which Jesus simply responded “Be not afraid; from now on you will be catching men” (see: Lk 5:1-11). After this Peter left all he had and followed Him. 

Peter: a man of great courage but one of many faults and weaknesses. But he was able to acknowledge those weaknesses and through Christ was set apart as an example of forgiveness (because he was forgiven) and leadership (his teaching and martyrdom)

James and John were likewise fisherman and when they heard the call of Christ they left all they had and readily followed Him. The call of St. Matthew too had different circumstances as well. Matthew, whom we celebrated on September 21^st, was a tax collector. He was regarded as a traitor and an outcast for the Jews and perhaps hated by even his own family. It was possible that he embezzled money, but at the very least he was employed by the Roman Empire. Yet when Jesus came into his life he left his own way of life behind and followed Jesus without hesitation.

Matthew: surprised that Jesus, a Jew, might call for him to be his disciple, he converted and immediately drew tax collectors and sinners to share in the same joy Christ gave him.

I believe we can all say that our lives are similar to the Apostles. We have felt Jesus come into our lives in some manner and lead us to where we are today. He searches us out and calls us to Him. In the seminary, in my own class, we have men who were laborers, ex-military, farmers, teachers, lawyers, and seminarians like myself. We can see that like the Apostles God isn't picky with whom he calls—in fact we're fortunate His call reaches ever corner and every life.

As such, I would like to speak to my own experience, in brief, in hopes that it encourages you to listen for God's whispers in your life.

I first began thinking about the priesthood in 5^th grade. We had recently received a new pastor and it was a day like any other. At the words of consecration and the raising of the host I remember I said to myself, “Maybe I could do that.”

And that was it. Is wasn't earth-shattering or overpowering, just a subtle feeling and an inclination. But I didn't fight it nor did I dismiss it. Rather, I accepted it and simply lived my life after that. I was encouraged by that same priest to consider the priesthood and so I did.

When I went into 8^th grade I was still on the fence, but the concern was more academic. Eventually, however, I noticed that I was happier at Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary and chose it. I'm happy to say it was probably the best decision of my life. The opportunity to be taught by priests and laymen and women was an excellent one. They not only taught us the necessities a student needed in subjects such as literature, history, language, theology, and science but each teacher had an appreciation for the Catholic tradition and instilled in me a real love of our Catholic heritage.

Time went on and I joined the college seminary. Now, at that point I was still riddled with old habits and dispositions, many of them bad, and likewise I had yet to mature into a priestly identity that I had taken for granted. At the same time I was still 18 years old and growing—I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to grow in the seminary with authentic and attentive human formation. I was there for two years before I went for 3 (blessed) years in Washington DC. Though much happened at St. Joseph's and DC I will share with you one experience of prayer that has given me an image of priesthood that I still consider and follow today.

I was praying at a 24-hour adoration, perhaps it was 11, 12, or 1 in the morning. I recall the image came to my mind almost like a dream:

I was standing above a large crowd and as I looked down everything was gray. People were walking back and forth, much like what you would see downtown on Michigan Avenue. Each of them, however, had their heads down. Some were scared, others crying, others anxious, while others still seemed indifferent or apathetic. I recall looking on them with a great deal of sadness and compassion. Just then a hand was placed on my shoulder that said, “My son, do you see my children down there, crying and broken? Who will go and comfort them? Who will be with them?” Without any real hesitation I remember that I turned around and said, “Please, Lord, send me.”

This is an image I've kept with myself for some time now and one that informs my image of the priesthood. I realize it can seem rather dire and serious and at the time it did seem this way to me. As with many things in life, however, what seems one way at first grows with us over time. Now there have been numerous instances where this has been a great source of joy and reflection for me. Not every person who is worried or afraid is depressed, rather they are looking for God at pivotal moments in their life. There are parents who wonder if they can raise their family right, there are married couples who wonder if they'll make ends meet, and there are those who are alone in the hospital who feel abandoned. A priest is with these people at their most important stages as a living image of Christ. I don't mean in the sense that I or a priest replaces God, but a priest is one who is sent to minister to His people. The job of the priest is to listen, to guide, to teach, and help those he meets go to the Father, just as Christ did.

I believe that the Gospel is also helpful in this case (Mk 9:30-37). In the seminary, even though I'm 24 years old, my friends and I are still guys. We're competitive, at times confrontational, and enjoy hanging out (with the idle talk that comes with it). Here we have the Apostles acting like guys. They have already experienced Christ and listened to them. They have been taught be Him and they are already following Him and yet “they were arguing among themselves who was the greatest.” Jesus responds in a surprising way, however. He places a child in their midst and says “Who ever among you wishes to be great must make himself as this little child.”

The reaction on the Apostles face indicates, I think, the difficulty and puzzling nature of Christ's command for them and His insistence that this would be "greatness" before God.

Now, at this time period in time a child was considered as completely dependent, helpless, and as someone generally disregarded. A child was someone who could never hope to repay someone back but needed your help all the time. It was a lowly life. But what an image for a holy priesthood! It's a powerful image to think that what I and other men are called to is in the likeness of a little child. What this means is that a priest must constantly humble himself, both because he is called by and led by God to do his work but also because of the great responsibility of leading others while expecting nothing in return. A priest is a sower of the Word and a shepherd to the people, but not everyone will hear nor will every sheep remain. But it is His task to be at the total service of his people, which are in reality His people. Without child-like trust and humility we would never listen to God, and without child-like concern and love we would never be attentive to the people who need us most.

What I've learned over the course of time is that God does not call those of us who are the best speakers, the greatest intellects, the most pious, the most athletic, nor the most skillful—necessarily. Rather He calls those whom he sets apart for a special task and for some that special task is a priest of Jesus Christ. For indeed “before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and] before you were born I dedicated you” (Jer 1:5a). God calls those from families who have perhaps fallen away from Him to act as a voice that calls them back. He calls those from broken families, common jobs, and who live simply. He calls those who come from loving homes, highly trained, and from affluent areas. All of them are called to serve and give what has been given to them.

In conclusion I would ask all of you to rededicate yourselves to encourage young men to the holy priesthood of Christ. In the same way I encourage you to affirm young women to consecrated life and religious life (guys too). When you see in someone qualities that you want in the priesthood you should affirm it. My vocation began in part because my pastor said to me 'I think you should think about the priesthood.' Our voice can be an instrument of God that leads young men and women to discover what God wants from them. They can certainly deny your words or discover that religious and/or priestly life isn't for them but as the people of God we must recognize in those who we raise the qualities of a good spiritual father and good shepherds. Are we courageous enough to speak when we see these qualities in our brothers, our sons, our nephews, and our friends?

I ask humbly that you continue to pray for me as I discern God's call in this my 11^th year of formation. You know, many of you, my past and with it my weaknesses, habits, faults, and failings. I ask you pray that I persevere while also humbling myself always to be molded and formed in Christ Jesus in order that I become the man that God wants me to be for His people. Please pray for my fellow brothers who are doing the same.

Pray especially that we all, especially young men, are attentive to the call God has placed in their hearts. I thank you for the encouragement and nourishment that you have already given me in abundance.

Thank you,

Matthew

On Confession (and the Priesthood)

[This is an extended and more in-depth version of the one available on the Knights of Columbus,  Tonti Council's Website]

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As I was praying with my rosary I began thinking about what it means to be a Knight of Columbus [an all-men group who dedicate themselves to fraternity, charity, support of their local churches, and support of priests and bishops]. I would similarly like you to think about what it means to be an adult and member of our Church. The qualities of loyalty, perseverance, and courage come to mind quickly. But as knights of our holy Catholic Church we are called to have an additional set of virtues which are faith, hope, and charity.

Check them out at their website: KOC

We and the Church by our efforts do a great deal of good, and I think we should be proud of that fact. Nevertheless we can also point to times when we're weak, forgetful, and sinful. This is where God comes in—he is our strength, our sword, and our shield. He gives us many personal graces but His greatest gifts are the Holy Eucharist and the other sacraments.

And the key word here is that they're gifts. We don't have to pay for them and sometimes we feel like we don't deserve them but, all the same, they are given for us to take.

The Sacraments founded on the Source of Life.

Now the sacraments Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, Confirmation, and Holy Orders are not so much our concern here. What I want to focus on is the Eucharist and Confession/Penance/Reconciliation. Now, I trust all of us regularly attend mass—if not I encourage you wholly!— so my sincere urging this time will be to accept and embrace the gift of Confession.

Many of us readily accept the joy of Baptism and Marriage, and many of us stand before the altar to receive our Lord, but so many of us run away from the Sacrament that was central to Jesus' earthly ministry—that is to say forgiveness.

We all know the command that Jesus gave to His whole Church: go and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In this commission we are all 'ones who are sent,' which is to say apostles and disciples.

But Jesus gave a command to His priests, his Apostles specifically chosen from among the people just as the elders of Israel were assembled by Moses (cf. Numbers 11:16-17). This time, however, it was not merely a prophet but the divine Word that selected these men.

For those who would doubt the priesthood of the Apostles, her special function, and the validity of their successive line, consider the following:

He chose twelve men, eleven who remained, to reveal the Word to all by their preaching and priestly ministry. For Christ told them at His last supper “whoever receives the one I send receives me” (Jn 13:20). He selected them from among the people to reveal the meaning of his teaching and to be leaders to those they gathered. As they spread the Word, they also laid their hands and selected from among the many communities men of sound character and true faith to carry on their work. They had the people assemble those from among their own who were “filled with the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3) so they might be “appointed” for a specific task. Then the Apostles “prayed and laid hands on them” (6:6). These men here were deacons but priests (and even bishops) were also selected from the line of the Apostles. For St. Paul tells Timothy (a bishop himself) to “stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands” (2 Tim 1:6). That gift is the priesthood specific to the Apostles. Even Paul himself was “appointed [by Christ] as preacher and apostle and teacher” (1:11). Furthermore he praises presbyters [Greek word for priest or elder] who preside well. All the same he warns him, “do not lay hands too readily on anyone [so as to confer this priesthood on them]” (1 Tim 5:22).

The seven men first chosen by the Apostles, men whom they laid their hands upon.

A tradition which continues today.

Truly, let anyone who denies a specific and holy priesthood among the faithful consider these words.

As such Christ selected his Apostles from among the many others he met and set them apart. Christ commanded them: Go and forgive the sins of my people and lead them to me. Be to them as I am to you (and so share the burden of my mission in a special way), give them my Body and Blood and give them forgiveness of their sins.

The Apostles stand as both a representation of mankind in that they are and were like us: weak, fearful, and doubtful. But they stand apart in that they were raised by Christ to bear His name and participate in his royal priesthood. He “gave them authority over unclean spirits and every illness” (Mt 10:1) and to give this gift freely (cf. 10:8). Furthermore, when Christ forgave the sins of the paralytic those around him questioned him and accused him of blasphemy. Yet to prove that He could forgive sins he healed him as well. But, at the end of this passage it states: “But the crowds, seeing this, were awestruck and glorified God who gave such authority to men” (my translation from the Greek, Mt 9:8). A fuller treatment is necessary, but not here. For our purposes it is worth reflecting on why the plural was used by Matthew and that the authority in question was the forgiveness of sins.

All that effort and Christ decides to heal him of his sins first.

This is where Confession is so important. This is the sacrament of healing, the healing of one's sins. And this sort of healing was preferred to the healing of the body (cf. The story of the paralytic, Mt 9:1-8). My brothers and sisters, it is easy to be courageous against a shared threat and it is easy to be courageous against something from the outside. But even truer courage comes from recognizing the threat inside of us: the stain of sin and how we, at times, let the enemy into our gates.

Yet as knights, that is to say faithful Catholics, we are to protect our priests and protect those who are as “sheep among wolves.” We can only be strong when we are weak, that is to say that we must humble ourselves. We can only show others how to convert their hearts when we convert their own. By allowing Christ into our hearts through the Sacraments we are transformed by that grace. We allow, humbly and with joy, simple and concrete realities to effect a great change in us. For in the same way Christ effected a great change in the world by adopting our frail and small humanity—something we received with joy.

Jesus said that we should not fear those who harm our body but rather the Enemy who can harm our soul (cf. Mt 10:28). Confession is a gift that remains unopened and unused, especially here in the United States and Europe. If no one goes, no one cares or notices. I encourage you all to strengthen your soul by a regular reception of the Eucharist and an attempt to regularly receive this great sacrament.

As we walk before the altar we ask for the greatest gift ever given. In Confession we are prepared to stand before the altar, we are instructed by holy priests (find one you know and trust!) to recognize sin and our sinfulness, and we are given Christ's peace. How often is it that we believe we know our own hearts—yet it turns out we live in self-doubt, darkness, and ignorance. This is the true gift of friendship, of good people, and good priests! They will help you know yourself.

"Show me the way to Ars and I will show you the way to Heaven." ~St. John Vianney

A priest, one whom you can trust and one whom you can be honest with will do more for your soul than any personal prayers could accomplish. Personal prayer should never be abandoned, but neither should your priests—let alone the whole body of the Faithful!

Remember that “he who conceals his sins prospers not, but he who confesses and forsakes them obtains mercy” (Prov 28:13). How easy it is to 'conceal our sins' by keeping them to ourselves, saying them only in our head. Even this can be hard. How much harder, yet more freeing, is it to confess openly and in person? But the person you are confessing to is one completely and readily willing to forgive those who seek conversion and absolution. This is because he was commissioned by Christ, installed by His holy Apostles through Him, to help 'share the burden of the people of God.'

Stand up for those who are afraid and ignorant of their own sinfulness and confront your own. It is by the strength of all the Sacraments of the Church—gifts of God—that we will flourish!

Yours in Christ and a sinner like you,

M