Fr. Matt’s Corner: . . . but we had been eyewitnesses of His majesty . . .
Greetings to you, my dear friends in Christ. 3200 years ago, Moses met the Lord on Mount Sinai amid fire and earthquake to receive the Law. 2800 years ago, Elijah called down fire from the Lord upon Mount Carmel, and later encountered the Lord on Mount Sinai in a still small voice. 2500 years ago, Daniel had his vision of the Ancient One and the Son of Man on the clouds of heaven. 2000 years ago, Peter, James, and John witnessed the glorious transfiguration of Jesus on the high mountain.
This weekend – and every weekend – we climb that same mountain of seeking the face of God, and He comes down to meet us in both glory and humility (for in God, humiliation and glory are one and the same), through the Eucharist. That’s why what we do at Mass is so awesome! We become one with God – the One God whose loving presence extends beyond all time (whether days, years, centuries, millennia, …) and all places. And of all the places in His vast universe, He comes here to dwell among us.
One of the crucial ways in which Jesus comes to dwell among us is through the ministry of priests in our parishes. On July 8 this summer, Ben Pribbenow was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Ricken. What a great joy! We anticipate having 17 men in the seminaries this fall, plus 5 new young men entering the Kairos formation year (that’s the pre-seminary transition year). That’s 22 men in the spiritual journey toward the priesthood for our diocese. Most seminarians are in formation for six to nine years, which includes at least two years studying philosophy, and four years studying theology.
This weekend, we have the special privilege of having one of our seminarians, Nicholas Huza, with us. He will share with us some important information about the Seminarian Appeal. As we have the opportunity to support these and future young men prepare to serve our parishes as priests through this year’s Seminarian Appeal, I simply ask for your generosity in response to God’s goodness.
In faith, let’s open our eyes to see Him here now – in His Body and Blood which had been simple bread and wine, in His Word that we hear, and in one another. In faith, let us also continue to seek Him by coming to Mass every opportunity we get (certainly at least every weekend); by sharing in the life of His Body, the Church, in all the ways we come together. Seeing Christ in one another, may we live this holy day in holy joy and love – knowing that we have been eyewitnesses of His majesty.
Peace to all of you, my friends, this Holy Day, and to all who love the Lord in simplicity of heart,Fr. Matt