Homily Vocations Sunday 2025
Ballynacarrigy - Sonna Parish
Diocese of Meath
4th Sunday of Easter, Year C
11 -May-25
The recent death of the late Pope Francis gave us many images and memories. This pope, so often spoke for those who are not heard; the poor, the unborn, the old, the sick, those who feel lost. He let the voice of Christ speak through the Priesthood, to give words to those silenced by being so often ignored.
“Jesus said: ‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me’” (John 10:27). The Lord spoke, even in Bethlehem, in the silent night of the stars and shepherds; being born in the stable, He was telling us, ‘I am with you,’ as the poor one who serves. He spoke in Nazareth, as the simple carpenter in a workshop of humility and a home of prayer. He continued to speak in His saving ministry, as the healer and life-giver. Christ, ultimately spoke the language of the cross; His promise of ‘Paradise’ are words that open the seals of heaven to us. Even past His time in our time, He continues to speak and to lead in the same way; ever present and ever new, in the words of every altar and Sacrament. He leads, He speaks, and we follow Him because we know He saves us.
“Each priest is to be a voice for Christ,”
In homes, factories, schools, colleges, in places of work, on the field of sports or in the public square, the voice of Jesus Christ, Priest and Shepherd, can still be heard in the priests He has called, to bring others to Him. The Priesthood is a calling to call others. In this Sacred Ministry, Jesus speaks again and again in His teaching, example and most of all, in His Sacraments. Each priest is to be a voice for Christ, where His words become His Body and Blood, healing for the sick, forgiveness in Confession, and in the consoling words of the priests He calls. Yes, Jesus speaks, He gives a voice for those who need meaning, who need God, who are forgotten in the voices of His priests.
Your voice is so needed by Jesus Christ, in marriage, in family, in your work and how you live the Gospel. This is the calling of all the faithful, young and old, from every place and time. However, Christ will not be able to reach us without the Priesthood. He needs men to follow Him, to give Him their voice, so that He can be heard by others, so that through His words Bread and Wine become the Body and Blood of His Presence. If Jesus is speaking to your heart, then follow the Infant who became poor for us, shape lives like the Divine Carpenter, teach and speak as He did. Open heaven with the power of His Cross, care, forgive, stand at the altar and heal. Give your voice, your heart to the Eternal Shepherd and let others know Him. Answer Jesus who calls you, and be an answer for so many you would serve with the power of Jesus Christ. Christ needs what Archbishop Oscar Romero called, “God’s microphones.” Be the priest that speaks for Him and let your words become those of Christ the Shepherd Priest. Amen.
Very Rev. Tony Gonoude
Priest of the Diocese of Meath, Parish Priest of Ballynacarrigy, Vocations Director.