My brothers in Christ; we have gathered not only to honor the memory of our beloved priests who have gone before us, but also to celebrate the remarkable milestone in our local Church of the 150th anniversary of its canonical erection as a diocese. This is not merely a reflection on the passage of time, but a testament to the fidelity of God, whose hand has guided us through the years. As we mark this anniversary, let us not only look back in gratitude but also look forward in hope, sustained by the same grace that carried our forebears.
In today’s first reading, from Isaiah, we hear of the great banquet on the Lord’s holy mountain, where death will be destroyed forever, and God will wipe away every tear. We know this vision of hope is fulfilled in Christ. As we remember our priests, we are reminded of their ministry – how they shepherded the flock and celebrated the Eucharist.
Their lives were living testimonies of this promise of hope, pointing beyond the struggles of this life to the joy of the Resurrection.
The Gospel invites us to lay our burdens upon the Lord, who promises rest for our souls. Our brother priests who have passed knew the weight of this yoke – the demands of ministry, the sacrifices made for the people of God. Yet, they also experienced the gentleness and humility of Christ, who accompanied them in their labors. Today, we entrust them once again to the Lord, confident in his mercy and his promise of eternal rest.
As we mark this 150th anniversary, I invite you to share with the brother next to you something you find valuable in our Archdiocese. ( … ) Each of us has been shaped by the faithfulness of this local Church. It is through the grace of God, and the witness of countless priests, that we continue to serve, nourished by the same hope that they lived and preached.
Pope Francis has pointed out: (quote) “Our vocation is before all else a response to the One who loved us first (cf. 1 Jn 4:19). This is the source of our hope, for even amid crises, the Lord never ceases to love us and to call us.” (end of quote). In this moment, we are called to renew our own commitment as priests, bearing witness to hope. Hope is not passive; it is transformative. As we live with our eyes fixed on the promise of eternal life, we are strengthened to persevere in our ministry, even amid challenges.
Let us, then, honor our departed priests not just with our prayers, but with our continued fidelity to the mission entrusted to us. Together, let us press on, filled with the hope that has sustained this Archdiocese for 150 years, confident that the Lord of life will one day gather us all into his eternal banquet.
Let me conclude by asking you to join me in praying a Hail Mary to Our Lady of Guadalupe, imploring eternal glory for our deceased brother priests and the infused virtue of hope for ourselves. In this way we will have offered a community rosary as one body.
