Bishop's Homily during the Celebration of 50th priestly Anniversary of Monsignor Miria Mathias.

• 16th December 2023
• By Admin
• Church News

Pope John Paul II who is now a saint before he became a bishop, wrote a book. A book about priesthood. The book is entitled priesthood as life of contradiction. In the eyes of people. Many think that as a priest you have no problem. You see the way we are dressed. Do we look like we have problems? when you see me in my car, do you imagine i have problems? When you go to the Fathers house, do you think the priests there have problems? They do. I met some married people who were saying you priests are lucky you didn't marry. And i said okay. I wish we would change then you will be asking me to come back to my work. So where you are, flower from there. We priests must flower as priests. Sisters, flower as sisters , married people flower from your marriage. Brothers flower as brothers.

We already know in all the vocations there are challenges but I urge you to focus more on what that vacation is all about and you will see for yourself that you will be very successful. To be successful doesn't mean you have no problems but it means you have even many more problems but you manage them. God is there for us. Especially in the most difficult moments. St Paul in his letter to the Colossians is helping us to manage our vocation. First is prayer. What does he say? He is writing to the Colossians that he is praying for them. He says 'ever since the day we first heard about you we have not ceased to pray for you and to us that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.' We need to pray for ourselves. And to pray for one another. That is one way we are successful in our vocation. And for us Clergy, when we are ordained deacons, we get the book of prayer of the church,four offices with divine office morning prayer, prayer during the day, prayer in the evening, prayer at night. So we can never be idols. When we are not with the people, we pray. And we are to celebrate the mass for the priest, every day. This can help us to sustain ourselves in our vocation.

St Paul continues to pray for strength for the colossians, 'that you may be fortified with the strength that comes from the glorious power and may you be granted patience and endurance while joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in life.' So we need to seek strength from God. Very often, we want to rely on our own human strength. It is not sufficient. Human strength is never sufficient. So when we are shaken in our vocation. Whether in the priesthood, religious life, we have to seek strength from God. We have to also seek patience. Some problems are solved only by patience. Mature people give themselves time. And am sure these are the qualities that helped monsignor Miria reach fifty years.

Another thing we should pray for is endurance as St.Paul says. God will grant it to you. In your family, don't be so quick to say enough is enough. Have you asked God? Even for us, religious, sometimes we say enough is enough. Have you asked God for strength and others to be successful? This is what st. Paul is telling us. I want to conclude by thanking Monsignor Miria for helping us by example and by witnessing. We can all go back today and say it is possible to fulfill our vocation. Pray that God helps you.