On my 9th anniversary as a priest.

***

Gospel: Mark 9: 41-50

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, 
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed 
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled 
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

“Everyone will be salted with fire.
Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid,
with what will you restore its flavor?
Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

Nine years ago today – at about this hour – I sat in the garden of the Cathedral and prayed the rosary with our Archbishop and thirteen other men.

“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death,” we said in unison over and over again.

Finally, the time had come. 

After six years of study, countless hours spent in prayer, discernment, and pastoral service, fourteen of us were about to be ordained priests for the Archdiocese of Newark. 

***

There was an unforgettable blend of peace and immense joy in my heart as we processed down the aisle for Mass. 

The Cathedral was full, the choir was singing praise at the top of their lungs, the smell of incense wafted into my nose, as our families and friends gazed in wonder.

That joy in my heart became the first lesson the Lord taught me as a priest: whenever we follow Him, there is joy; there is peace. 

This does not mean that trial or sacrifice won’t come our way, but transcending it all, there is Jesus at the center, who has, “overcome the world.”

***

Since that day drenched in grace, I’ve celebrated hundreds of baptisms, anointings, and funerals. I’ve stood with dozens of couples at the altar as they state their vows before the Lord.

Here at St. Pius X, I’ve also been given the opportunity to dream, to envision our future together, and to build the kingdom of God with you day by day. I cannot imagine living a more meaningful life. 

Looking back nine years ago today, if I could speak to myself at the moment of my ordination, I’d say, remember the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

“For I know well the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your benefit, not for woe; to give you a future full of hope. You will find me when you seek me, when you seek me with all of your heart.”

***

May we continue to seek the Lord with all of our heart, each in our own way. The more we do, the happier and more joyful we become.

***

***

Image credits: (1) Our Lady of Sorrows, South Orange (2) Today’s Catholic (3) St. Pius X, Old Tappan