Homily for priestly ordination ( Jeremiah 1:4-9; Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4; Hebrews 5:1-10; John 21:15-17)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today, we gather in joyful celebration as the Lord calls another servant to the sacred ministry of priesthood. The readings we have just heard speak profoundly to this moment of grace, illuminating the mystery of priestly vocation and identity.

In the first reading, we heard the powerful account of Jeremiah's call: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you." These words reveal a fundamental truth about every vocation, but especially the priestly calling. God's knowledge of us precedes our existence. His call is not an afterthought but part of His eternal design.

My dear son who is to be ordained today, like Jeremiah, you may feel inadequate: "Ah, Lord God! I know not how to speak; I am too young!" This humility is appropriate, for who among us is truly worthy of such a calling? Yet God responds with reassurance: "Have no fear... because I am with you." The priesthood is never about our own strength, but about God's presence working through our weakness.

The Lord then performs a powerful symbolic action: "The Lord extended his hand and touched my mouth." This gesture signifies divine empowerment. In a few moments, dear brother, the bishop will lay hands upon you, continuing this ancient gesture of consecration that extends back to the apostles themselves. Through this sacramental action, Christ Himself will touch you, configuring you to Himself as priest.

In the psalm, we heard the mysterious words: "You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek." These words, addressed first to Christ, now extend to you. The priesthood into which you enter is not primarily functional but ontological—it changes who you are at the deepest level. You become configured to Christ the High Priest, acting in His person, particularly in the celebration of the sacraments.

The Letter to the Hebrews deepens our understanding of this priestly identity. "Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God." The priest stands in this mysterious middle ground—taken from among the people, yet set apart to represent them before God. Notice the beautiful paradox: the priest is both one with the people and set apart for sacred service.

The letter continues: "No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God." Priesthood is never self-appointed but is always a response to divine initiative. This calling is not based on personal merit but on God's inscrutable choice. As Pope Benedict XVI noted, "The priesthood is not simply 'office' but sacrament... the Lord makes use of us poor men in order to be, through us, present to all men and women."

Hebrews also speaks of Christ "offering prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears." Here we see the cost of authentic priesthood—it involves suffering, sacrifice, and tears. The priest is called to enter into the suffering of Christ and His people. As Pope Francis reminds us, priests must be "shepherds living with the smell of the sheep," intimately connected with the joys and sorrows of those they serve.

Finally, in the Gospel, we witness that tender exchange between Jesus and Peter: "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Three times Jesus asks, matching Peter's earlier threefold denial. And three times Jesus commissions him: "Feed my lambs... Tend my sheep... Feed my sheep."

My dear brother, today Christ asks you the same question: "Do you love me?" Your ordination is your answer. And like Peter, your love will be tested. There will be moments of failure and denial. But Christ's call remains: "Feed my sheep." This is the essence of priestly ministry—to nourish God's people with the Word and Sacraments, to lead them to green pastures, to bind up their wounds, and to seek out the lost.

St. Augustine beautifully expressed the dual nature of the priesthood when he said, "For you I am a bishop, with you I am a Christian." As a priest, you will stand before the people in persona Christi, but you never cease to be one of the faithful yourself, in need of God's mercy.

The priesthood to which you are called is not about power or prestige. It is about service and sacrifice. As St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests, said: "The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus." You are called to be that love made visible in the world.

Your hands will soon be anointed with sacred chrism, consecrating them for their holy work—to bless, to absolve, to heal, and above all, to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Your hands will hold the very Body of Christ. Treasure this privilege with awe and humility.

In a few moments, you will lie prostrate on the floor, symbolizing your complete surrender to God's will. This gesture expresses the fundamental truth of priesthood—it is a laying down of one's life. As Jesus taught, "Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit."

Dear faithful gathered here today, I invite you to pray fervently for our brother. The priesthood is not sustained by human strength alone but by the prayers of the faithful. Your prayers will be his strength in moments of difficulty and doubt.

And to the family of our brother, especially his parents: today you offer your son to God and His Church in a new and profound way. Know that the seeds of his vocation were planted in the soil of your faith and love. The Church thanks you for this precious gift.

My dear brother, as you stand on the threshold of priesthood, remember that you never walk alone. You join a brotherhood extending back to the apostles. You have the support of your bishop, your brother priests, and the prayers of the faithful. Above all, you have the promise of Christ: "I am with you always, until the end of the age."

May Mary, Mother of Priests, watch over you. May St. John Vianney intercede for you. And may Christ the High Priest, who has called you, sustain you in fidelity and joy all the days of your life.

Amen.