Recently I celebrated my 9th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. While it is not a long time, in the grand scheme of life, it made me consider what I love most about my vocation and count the many blessings of being a Catholic priest. Firstly, I enjoy people and the priesthood enables one to be involved in people’s lives at special moments—in the baptisms of their children, in the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation, in the preparation of marriages, and yes—in difficult times of illness and even death. No matter what the "happening" taking place, there is always a sacred joy of being part of someone’s experience of God, even if only in an outward way. I also enjoy the role of teacher that the priesthood calls one to be. Passing on a 2,000-plus year old faith that has been created and given to us by God Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, and from the blood and sweat of so many amazing men and women of ages past who, in many, circumstances gave up their freedom and their lives so that we could come to Mass and worship God without fear of being stoned or cruci-fied or imprisoned. To be able to live each day in the freedom of a faith that was ordained by God and handed to us as a gift that was meant to be lived and shared with others, creating a life that will not end. And this is something that God wants you and me to participate it. Think of that! God, who is all-powerful, wants you to join Him in this great human and divine endeavor: calling all creation to praise Him now and to be with Him forever in His Kingdom of peace. I cannot imagine an-other "profession," nor could I imagine an earthly life devoid of faith, in which to live. It is amazing.
And even in the midst of life’s trials and tribulations, in the midst of the aggravations of life and on days when it seems like questions override belief, the sharing of this faith with and in the midst of others springs that "eternal hope" which makes you see the Big Pic-ture rather than focus on the little obstacles.
Whether we are in the ordained priesthood or the Common Priesthood of Baptism, there must be joy and we must seek it and see it for what it is…and how it is presented to us by God in the daily activities of life.