Our Holy Father Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus (403); Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople (733)
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Acts 12:25-13:12; John 8:51-59
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
Before and after my ordination to the priesthood, I was repeatedly asked by parishioners of the parish that I grew up in whether I would be returning to the parish of my childhood to serve there. This parish undoubtedly fostered my vocation and many parishioners felt that the parish should “reap the rewards” of a home-grown vocation.
In today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we witness Barnabus and Paul being sent off after being set apart through the laying on of hands (ordained). While both may have desired to return to their hometowns or to a place of great influence upon their Christian life and vocation, they are now servants of the Church and as such, are sent to the place where there is a need.
Brothers and sisters, the Church calls us to pray for vocations to the ordained and religious life not because those who choose these lives are better Christians or lead more God-pleasing lives than the laity. Rather, we pray for an increase in vocations so that the Lord would send us those who will go where there is a need. The Church needs apostles, like Barnabus and Paul, who are ready and willing to be sent wherever the Holy Spirit, through the ministry of the Church, needs them.