Daring greatly, I asked and received…I am most grateful that Msgr. Elmer Holtman shared his homily from his 50th Anniversary Ordination Mass, May 31, 2014. 50th Anniversary – Feast of the Visitation. As I have grown older I have found that a magnifying glass can be a mighty handy instrument at times. I keep one by my reading chair to pass over the fine print I’m not able to see otherwise. The magnifying Glass enlarges the size of the subject being viewed. Mary’s beautiful prayer of praise and thanksgiving, her Magnificat, which we just heard proclaimed points not to herself but to the new life she carried within her. She realizes that it is not of any merit of her own that this has taken place but a gift and favor bestowed on her by the Holy Spirit. Mary says “My Soul Magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” She realizes that the great favor she has received is a gift – She turns the attention away from herself and proclaims the long awaited savior to the world. Most of the icons of Mary in the Eastern Church portray her not by herself but with the Child Jesus. As I have lived my priestly ministry over the last 50 years I realize that the times I have felt more content and satisfied is when I like Mary magnified Jesus rather than myself in my actions. I consider my priesthood and my priestly ministry as an outright gift and not something that I have earned or for which I am worthy. And as Mary was called to share the good news with her cousin Elizabeth so am I called to share my ordination with you today. I was ordained into a Church in 1964 at a time of questions and uncertainties. My pre-Vatican II training left me with more questions than answers. Even though it was chaotic at times, I found the freshness of change to be very exciting. I had to be satisfied with moving forward with less than all the answers trusting that the Spirit was in charge. I’m not really sure how I managed to keep it all together during these changing times in the Church. At the same time the Civil Rights Act was signed as a part of Johnson’s Great Society. Now 50 years later I am witnessing another great hopeful era with the new model of church being brought to us by Pope Francis. This is a great reminder that the Spirit is alive and well. As Mary rejoiced in the mystery she never understood but said “yes” to, I rejoice in the mystery to which I have been entrusted. As a priest I have been asked to walk with and listen to people in some critical times in their lives. I have had the privilege of assuring them that as the community of the Church forgives their sins they should also forgive themselves. I have been able to hold the hand of the sick, praying for their healing and forgiveness. I have grieved with people who have lost a spouse or a child. What an awesome privilege that is. Because when we are weak and vulnerable we are most open to God’s grace. Then there are the opportunities to celebrate the good times with families such as baptisms, weddings and anniversaries. And I suppose the most awesome of all is the gift I have been given to preside at Eucharist. That is a mystery that is so deep that no philosopher or theologian can even begin to explain. And as a priest and presider I am only the instrument through which Jesus is sacramentally present just as Mary sees herself as only the magnifier of her divine Son. So how does the call to priesthood come about? I believe it comes first of all from the family and secondly from the faith community. The sacrament of Holy Orders is not for the person ordained. Without the people we serve, priesthood would be self-centered and empty. By its very nature it doesn’t exist for itself. It is dynamic and alive. Neither do I consider my calling to priesthood just a one-time event that took place when I entered the seminary or when I was ordained 50 years ago. When I stand before the congregation at Sunday Eucharist I see them as calling me again and again to preside at their Eucharist. The original call came through my family and faith community in which I grew up. And it continues today by the people I am called to serve. All six of my assignments including parish ministry at Sacred Heart in Austin, St. Mary’s in Waco, Campus Ministry at Texas A&M, Hispanic ministry in Round Rock, formation director at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston and serving on the board at St. Edward’s University. Every one of these assignments I found to be exciting and life-giving. The last one, which I made myself, to retirement at Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center, working with youth, have been exciting and life-giving. Ironic as life is sometimes, my first assignment as a priest was to work with the youth. I’ve made the circle. My philosophy is that there is nothing like a bad assignment as long as I look at it through my magnifying glass. I have been truly blessed by the opportunity to meet and work with so many great people in my journey over the last 50 years. And these are some of the things that I have learned and others have taught me. Being at peace and content is something within me and not something to be acquired outside myself. That way I can be happy where ever I am. If you want to know God’s Will, place yourself at the service of others. The good shepherd always smells like his sheep (Community Identity) Francis To develop good stewards a pastor must practice what he preaches. To find the good in a person we need to first walk through his or her bad side. The virtue of hope is not a wish – it’s a way of life The habit of being thankful for our gifts brings a spirit of generosity to service to others. Live in the present – the eternal NOW. That is all we have. Every now and then one is required to color outside the lines in order to enhance the picture. It is much easier to seek forgiveness than to ask for permission. Finally, Mary knew that she had to share the joy of the mystery she carried within. She was driven to share the good News. And so are we as we gather to celebrate this Eucharist today. ~~~~~~~ Below is a link to Eagles Wings Retreat Center if you would like to participate in the Abundant Blessings Gift: To be a faithful sower and help plant the seeds for generations to come as well as to honor Msgr. Elmer eagleswingsretreatcenter.org/donations.shtml
Posted on: Thu, 05 Jun 2014 12:16:38 +0000