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Homilies | Friday, October 14, 2016

Rather than to fear men, fear God

Homily by Archbishop Wenski at Friends of the Seminary Mass

Homily by Archbishop Thomas Wenski at Friends of the Seminary Mass at St. John Vianney College Seminary. Friday, Oct. 14, 2016. 

It is good to be here among "friends."  I know that these seminarians appreciate your presence here tonight. And so do the bishops, rector and faculty of this seminary. Thank you for your support and for your prayers. 

In tonight's Gospel, Jesus turns to his disciples and says: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. Be afraid of the one who…has the power to cast into Gehenna.” Even as Jesus’ popularity was at its height – he was surrounded by crowds who were trampling one another underfoot – even as Jesus’ popularity was at its height, Jesus addresses his disciples, warning them that it will not always be so. Jesus ultimately disappoints the crowds – they were looking for a Messiah, of course, but on their terms. 

Jesus is the Messiah, not on their terms but on God’s terms. He avoids the trap of pretending to live up to others’ expectations: rather than to fear men, fear God, he tells his disciples. Fear of God is the antidote to the fear of losing one’s life. A healthy fear of God is a gift of the Holy Spirit – for it leads to spiritual maturity – to right judgment, to wisdom. 

Godly fear reverences the One who made us in love and who sustains us in mercy and kindness. The sparrows do not escape the notice of God and we are worth more than any sparrows. Fear of God frees us from the tyranny of pride and of cowardice, especially in the face of evil: in a culture increasingly hostile to the Gospel, we are called to proclaim its truth “on the housetops.” 

“Beware of the leaven – that is, the hypocrisy – of the Pharisees.” The Jews ate “unleavened” bread for the Passover. Leaven or yeast – because it ferments – symbolized for the Jew the permeating power of sin. Sin corrupts – and hypocrisy, pretending to be what one is not, corrupts the Church. 

Pope Francis tells us that “there is no need for clerical priests whose behavior risks distancing people from the Lord, or functionary priests who, while they fulfill their role, seek their consolation far from him." A functionary can go through the motions, like an actor playing a role - and a hypocrite is an actor, a role player. Pope Francis adds, "Only those who keep a steady gaze on what is truly essential may renew their acceptance of the gift they have received. … Only those who allow themselves to conform to the Good Shepherd find unity, peace and strength in the obedience of service; only those who take their breath in priestly fraternity leave behind the falsehood of a conscience that claims to be the epicenter of everything, the sole measure of their feelings and actions.” 

In contrast to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, the followers of Jesus must practice transparency, for in the words of the Gospel, "there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed."  

St. John Paul II told priests that the people look to them for the “word lived” before the “word proclaimed.” The days are long gone when what “Father said” or “What teacher said” was law. People today will not follow "blind guides" as Jesus sometimes described the Pharisees; but they will follow pastors whose authenticity is revealed in their transparency. This  transparency is  characteristic of the true disciple who does not seek the approval of men but of God and thus says "yes" when he means "yes" and "no" when he means "no". When all is said and done, it is witness that convinces not words. If we are witnesses, then as priests we can exercise our authority over our faithful without being authoritarian.

The People of God need “holy priests.” Again to quote Pope Francis, “Holy priests are sinners who have been forgiven, and instruments of forgiveness. Their existence speaks the language of patience and perseverance; they are not tourists of the spirit, eternally undecided and unsatisfied, as they know that they are in the hands of He Who never fails in His promises, and whose Providence ensures that nothing can ever separate them from their belonging… Yes, it is still the time for priests of this substance, ‘bridges’ enabling the encounter between God and the world.” 

“Priests like this," in the words of Pope Francis, "cannot be improvised: They are forged through the valuable formative work of the seminary, and ordination consecrates them forever as men of God and servants of His people.” 

Priests like this cannot be improvised. I thank those involved here in the formation of these young men and again I thank you, Friends of the Seminary, for your continued support – support expressed in your financial assistance but also through your generous prayers. The valuable formative work of this seminary is preparing priests for the 21st century here in Florida and beyond.

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