Do not be afraid; just have faith

“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

Recently most heard the gospel of the woman with a history of hemorrhages, who put her trust in Jesus by touching the hem of His cloak. It is moving and relatable.

At the church we attended we heard another message, equally moving and relatable. This message focused on Jesus as He went toward the home of the synagogue official whose child was dying. Like the woman, the official too, was looking for a cure. Yet before Jesus arrived, others came forward informing them the child had died. Here Jesus says, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

It was at this point the priest moved to today, and it became personal and relatable. This parish is composed of many farmers, spread over many miles with winters of heavy snow and icy winds. Many in the congregation are elderly. Dying is a reality; dying without a priest present is a real possibility.

There are few times many of us feel a need for a priest, at a wedding, a baptism, but especially at the end of life as we go forth into new life, eternal life. How we all wish for “a peaceful falling asleep!”

To this priest and all priests, these times are a real privilege, a blessing to be a priest. The priest talked about sometimes arriving after a loved one has passed and the rituals of mourning have begun; perhaps due to snow or passing an accident on the road. He offers prayers and blessings to both those on the road, the one in need, and those left behind.

He did this low-key, as is his style, and I thought helping one face death is an everyday occurrence in a priest’s life. What a homage to having a priestly vocation!

On the news one hears of the shortage of workers; offering higher wages, even a signing bonus. Yet where are the workers needed for priestly vocations? What are we, the beneficiaries, doing to encourage priestly vocations?

On occasion we pray for priestly vocations; sometimes offer Mass intentions, yet how often do we talk to our grandkids about being a priest? How do we use our God-given talents to promote priesthood? We are called to be like the priest giving the homily: to act in the person of Jesus- doing all we can to bring all of God’s children into the kingdom of God. Now is the time to be like the little girl when Jesus said to her.”Talitha koum,” which means, “ Little one, I say to you, arise.” Arise, we must!!