In this beautiful Church of Njimafor, something serious is about to happen that will forever change the lives of three young men. It is the ordination of Rev Joshua to the priesthood, and brothers Eric and Victor to the deaconate. We have come to be witnesses of the conferral of the Sacrament of Holy orders on these three young men. We have come to acknowledge that what they are about to undertake has our full support as a Christian community.
This august occasion gives those of us who are deacons and priests an opportunity to live anew, our own days on ordination, reflect on our ministerial lives and renew, with vigor, our vocational vows. It is also an occasion in which our young men are invited to consider and discern the vocation to priesthood or a religious order.
The Christian community pays a special tribute to the families of our candidates for their love and generosity in giving their sons to the Church. You have made a personal sacrifice, and we pray that God will give you an abundance of blessings. The church heartily thanks those who have supported you in your formation in all possible ways.
My dear brothers, the gift of ordination which you are about to receive is not a personal advancement; it is an invitation to lead and serve the people of God who will be entrusted to your care.
Today, you are being hired as employees in God’s vineyard.
Your job descriptions are clearly defined in the readings of today: comforting those who mourn, setting the captives free, being deligent in the matters entrusted to you, leading by example in your words, love, trust, and compassion. Keep these readings and refer to them from time to time. Use them as an instrument to evaluate your ministry. If you have not already done so, take some time and develop, out of them, a motto for your ministry.
St Paul in the first letter to Timothy invites you to set an example for those you are leading in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. In today’s world where Pentecostals are the order of the day, your faith must not waver. You must seek to remain pure – in the vow of celibacy you are now embracing - and the community must seek to support you in this regard. A mighty sign is here posted: Let it be known that these three men today have no desire to do anything with any woman, single or married that will go to stain this purity. Watch your conduct that you do not fall prey. To our community: do nothing to draw these men into the den of infidelity.
My dear brothers, set an example of love. Without your knowing, many will be touched by what you do, what you say. The impact of your acts, words and compassion will be felt for years and the Gospel will be advanced as such.
In 1969 a young boy from a very poor family wanted to write the common entrance exam, but could not afford 150 francs, the cost of four passport size photographs. A young priest and an amateur photographer took his pictures. The boy wrote the entrance and passed. As if that were not enough the same priest gave him a ride to the school he was to attend. Thirty years later, that boy resurfaced to thank the Priest, this time not as a poor boy but as a married Deacon of the Catholic Church.
A school teacher with the specialty to train young people how to read, recalls that the motivation for what she does today is from her childhood parish priest: she admired how her parish priest read in church. Be careful! You do not know who is watching and what they are picking up from you. People, especially the young will be looking up to you.
Watch what you say. Words can either kill or bring the dead to life. A 24 year old man addressed an elderly woman in her mid-seventies: “Mama”. Tears ran down her chicks; she lightened up as she addressed the young man: “For more than 18 years since my only son was killed in the army, no one has ever called me mama, until today. Now I know I have a son. A simple kind word will go a long way to help. Harsh and impolite words destroy persons, souls and a community. As future community leaders know what to say and to who.
You are being sent out today to comfort the mourners – and the prisoners of our society, with your presence and words.
Who are the mourners of our society? They are those suffering form all types of diseases: sickle cell, AIDS/HIV, TB, Cancer, etc. They are the victims of injustice, neglected children, prostitutes– these are the people to whom you must show them love and how to love.
Who are the prisoners? There include those who are trapped in between the prison walls of poverty, social injustice, loneliness, victims of rape, prostitutes – these are the people to whom you must bring and anoint with the oil of gladness that comes from the Lord whose Spirit has descended on you.
Be absorbed in your ministry, but do so in a diligent manner. Take sometime to rest, from your work. Recall that Christ always took some time to rest. If he did, you too can, as well. Ensure you eat well and wisely to maintain the body, which is the temple of God. A good health, maintained through balance meals, enough rest, and exercise is a requirement for a successful ministry.
The world has the rich and the poor. Be careful not to fall in the trap of approaching the rich for personal gains. Rather, approach to encourage them to help the prisoners, mourners and afflicted of our society. If possible, avoid dealing with money. Love for money is not healthy for your well-being. Many misters have lost or stained their reputation with the mismanagement of community and parish funds.
My dear brothers, your ordination to the priestly and deaconal ministries configures you to Christ. Therefore, wherever you will be assigned, whatever the assignment is, always bear in mind that you are to reveal God’s name to those who will be entrusted to you (cf John 17:16). You are to become instruments of Truth – instruments of God’s sanctification - channels of service and grace to God’s people. This is a big responsibility, and one that should be taken seriously.
Always bear in mind that we priests and deacons are servants, not masters of the Church’s worship. The Church is the church of Christ. It is not your church, it is not the church of the archbishop nor the Superior of your community.
Be leaders, not followers of the people of God, be servants and not masters of the people of God, in the mind of the church and in accordance with the scriptures that have been handed to you. Read the scriptures and believe what you are reading; teach the people of God what you have believed, then put into practice what you teach - you will earn the respect of the community and win souls for God’s kingdom. Respect is earned from your deeds and words. Respect is not demanded and taken from the cassock and roman collar.
To you the Christian community: God has called from our midst and raised to the order of deacon and priesthood, three of our brothers. Give them the respect that the office deserves. Counsel them when they falter. Public condemnation does not help. They are human beings and subject to human error. Pray for them always that they may have the necessary graces for their ministry and the ability to withstand any temptations.
