It's Ordination Weekend in Lincoln, Nebraska! Some of my best friends are being ordained to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate! "May the Lord, who has begun the good work in them, bring it to fulfillment." - From the Rite of Ordination to the Diaconate
Joy is overflowing because of another Sacrament, often celebrated during the Easter Season, which is of course the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The importance of this Sacrament goes without saying, since without it five of the seven sacraments would cease. Even historically, this has been shown to happen. When a church breaks away and breaks apostolic succession, often the only sacraments they are left with are Baptism and Marriage, if they even maintain the idea of sacraments.
Those in the Sacrament of Orders penetrate the most important moments of our lives. They are normally the ones who give us the Divine Life and bring us into the Church in Baptism. They are the ones who restore us to that state of sanctification when we lose it through sin. They make present to us the mysteries of our salvation through prayer and the Sacrifice of the Mass. They feed us on this life's journey through the Holy Eucharist. They bless us during the momentous occasions in our life. And when the time comes for us to return to our Maker, they strengthen us for the journey, and finally commend our soul back to God.
They are our teachers. We are guided in this life through their instruction. They alone are granted the promise by God of infallibility in interpreting the Gospel to us. They see us at our weakest. They are granted the privilege to know us in ways no other human can. They are tasked with giving an account for us, and thus they are our guardians.
However, we must remember that all in Holy Orders are human. They need encouragement and prayer like all. They suffer the same struggle as all humans. They are, in a most unique way, united to the suffering Christ. Theirs' is a life of joy, but theirs' is also a life of suffering.
"Pray
for your Priests, that The Lord may pour out his gifts abundantly upon
them, and keep them faithful as ministers of Christ, the High Priest, so
that they may lead you to him, who is the source of salvation. And pray also for your bishop, that he may be faithful to the
apostolic office entrusted to him in his loveliness and that in your
midst he may be made day by day a living and more perfect image of
Christ, the Priest, the Good Shepherd, the Teacher and Servant of all. May The Lord keep us all in his charity and lead all of us, shepherds and flock, to eternal life" to sing Alleluia forever in Heaven. - From the Rite of the Renewal of Priestly Promises
Meditate upon this great mystery of Holy Orders. They are men who share our struggles and sorrows, but they are also Christ, Who gives us this Easter joy. Rejoice then in this great Sacrament, for it is the Sacrament which allows us to participate in the Paschal Mystery. Through it, we are able to encounter the Divine Humility of Christ, Who has deigned to conform these unworthy men into his image on earth.
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