Rob Colquhoun

Mass Reflection- WEEF Appeal

12-13 April 2008 

In today’s first reading, before urging repentance and Baptism, Peter professes the heart of the Christian faith: “We can be certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.” In response the eleven ask: “What must we do?” 

This is a question that must resound with all of us on Good Shepherd Sunday, also the World day of prayer for Vocations. Vocation means, (from the Latin) Vocare – to call. God calls each one of us by name as we belong to him. God calls us and we listen. He is the gate of the sheepfold, who came that we may have life and have it to the full.  By listening, prayer and discernment, we are able to make greater union between God’s will and our own will- and to lead a life worthy to the vocation to which we are called. Every vocation, every path to which Christ calls us, ultimately leads to fulfilment and happiness, because it leads to God, to sharing in God’s own life. God, as our shepherd, sends us shepherds for the flock and gives each of us great talents at our disposition- in order to answer the question “What must we do?” 

As Catholics, we come to Mass each Sunday. We pray, “Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” Our job is to make heaven on earth. We accomplish this by our relationships, our work, raising our children and all we say and do. In these ways we sanctify the world and preach the Gospel.  

The priesthood is a great gift for the Church and to help the people of God on their journey through life. A Priest, such as Fr Michael is a challenger, enabler, life giver, poet of life and dreamer of dreams. His role is to help God’s grace to reach us through the sacraments and his personal ministry. By Baptism, we all share in the Priesthood of Christ, and this gives a share in the common priesthood of all believers. Every single person is called to holiness. 
 

“What must we do?” Like Isaiah I want to respond “Here I am send me.” 

To be a priest is to be a midwife to the more profound aspects of human existence. A Priest is a vital and important leader in the community to guide and teach the faithful and be a sign of hope and the kingdom. A priest is alter Christus, another Christ, to act in the person of Christ. A Priest is there to sanctify others through service. Being a priest means being a man for others, serving and fulfilling the will of the Lord. St Ignatius understood the radical giving of self in his prayer of abandonment: “take Lord: all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my entire will, all that I possess. You have given it all to me; to you, O Lord, now I return it; all is yours, dispose of me wholly according to your will. Give me only your love and grace, for that is enough for me.” St Ignatius also taught to serve as the Lord deserves, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest and to labour and not to ask for any reward. Such self giving ensures the holiness of many others. We fully discover ourselves through the gift of self. 

This year I have been privileged to help with the confirmation group here at Dollis Hill. I started training for the Priesthood in September 2005 after being received into the Church at University from an Anglican background. Through the guidance and encouragement of many excellent Priests, my discernment and interest in the Church, I discovered that God might be calling me to Priesthood. Now I am in the second year at Allen Hall, where there are 38 students and the training lasts 6 years.  

One's good inclinations, the opportunities of the moment, the needs of the Church and society, one's talents and accomplishments – these factors may be indications of a vocation. By prayer and with good spiritual direction, the decision about one's vocation can be made prudently. 

Family attitudes towards vocations are important – for some parents the idea of a child thinking about religious life is unthinkable. Many parents impose their wishes, dreams and aspirations on their children. Priests do not just fall from the sky- every future priest must have had a mother and father.  Above all families, friends and others should see that Priesthood is a generous and wonderful gift, which brings grace and leadership to the Church.  

Please pray for Priests, and pray to the Lord to send more labourers into the vineyard. 

At the back of Church there is our free seminary magazine- this year with the theme of our Lady of Lourdes. We also have a number of leaflets for the Westminster Ecclesial Education Fund as the retiring collection this Sunday is the Annual WEEF fund and please be generous! I shall be at the back of the Church after this Mass and to answer any questions you may have. Thank you.