Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L.
Bishop of Scranton
HOMILY
Rite of Election – March 13, 2011
Almost a year ago, I was ordained as the tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Scranton. Some of you know my story. I was ordained as a priest for the Church of Scranton and served in a variety of parishes and in some administrative roles for twenty-six years. Then, through a series of events that I still can’t understand, I was called to leave a parish community that I dearly loved and to serve the people of God as a bishop.
On the day of my ordination, a gospel passage was proclaimed from the fifteenth chapter of Saint John. Jesus words come from those shared with his closest friends in the context of the Last Supper, the night before he died. Listen to just a portion of that Gospel.
“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain. … This I command you: love one another.” It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you.
I don’t fully understand why, of all the people whom God could have chosen to lead this diocese, he picked me. I ask that question every day. One thing I do know is that while he initiated the call, it was my responsibility to either accept it or refuse it.
My brothers and sisters, especially you, our catechumens and candidates, Jesus is speaking the very same words to you today. “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain.”
It’s possible that you see logic to the events along your journey that have brought you to this place today. But perhaps like me, you can’t quite understand why God called you to this moment, but you are here. Maybe you’re thinking to yourself, wait a minute. Don’t we like to believe that we are in charge, in control of our lives? Don’t we choose where to work, where to live, what person to marry, what friends to keep? Don’t WE choose which church to belong to, which god to worship?
In the midst of all these questions, we hear the words of Jesus again: “You have not chosen me. I have chosen you.”
Indeed the scriptures are filled with reminders of how God has worked in creation, always engaging a people, working in and through the events of their lives, never giving up on his creation – always faithful, ever present. Before the world began, the scriptures tell us, God chose a people to be his own – first, the people of Israel – and then in his Son, Jesus, God chose all peoples to be loved, to be adopted daughters and sons, to be forgiven their sins and to inherit eternal life through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and through his resurrection.
My sisters and brothers, dear catechumens and candidates, as he has done since the beginning of creation, God places his hand on YOUR shoulders today and chooses YOU to participate in his Kingdom. Through the touch of your godparents and through the affirmation of the Church gathered around you in this sacred cathedral, God calls you forth to walk with him in faith.
The initiative is God’s. The necessary response is yours. In a moment, those of you to be baptized will affirm the response already in your hearts as you inscribe your names in the Book of the Elect – an image of the Book of Life – the reason, St. Luke says, for our rejoicing because our names are written in heaven.
My friends, you do today what all who have pledged their lives to Christ have done through the ages. In response to God’s call, you say yes to Christ. In so doing, you not only affirm his presence in your life. You commit yourself to his will and his way. “Love one another as I have loved you.”
“Love one another as I have loved you.” Indeed, the journey will have its challenges. The cost of discipleship and the price of love can be great. The gospel just proclaimed reminds us that even Jesus was tempted to step away from a relationship with his father. But he prevailed – because he said yes to his Father’s will and way. And so will we prevail, not because of sheer determination and grit, but because of our relationship with and our dependence upon the God who first called us to journey with him.
My sisters and brothers, look around this great cathedral today. What do you see but the faces of many people, some familiar but most unknown, from many parishes and some from far off lands, speaking different languages, with unique stories, yet all coming together to share one faith in one Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
My sisters and brothers who seek to be baptized and raised to new life in Christ – my sisters and brothers, already one with us through baptism and who seek full communion – we, the Church, pray with and for you. Your very “yes” to the Lord this day gives us hope and encourages us to recommit ourselves to the vows that were made at our own baptisms and to be renewed in faith.
Your presence here today is also a powerful reminder to the members of the Church and hopefully to you as well of just how much we need each other … and how much we need the Church … in order to follow Jesus and to be Christians. There are many things that we can do alone and for ourselves – but not the most important ones. We can’t forgive our own sins. We can’t save ourselves. And we can’t give ourselves eternal life. But God can. God in Jesus CAN do all of these things … and chooses to do these things … just as chose me and he chooses you. And he chose to do all of these things in and through the Church – the community of believers – his body on earth.
In deep humility, honesty and hope, may each of us in whatever place along the journey of faith we find ourselves give thanks to God this day for the gift of Jesus and his saving grace. May you, our candidates for full initiation in the Church, open your hearts to the Holy Spirit and to the power of Jesus who will fill your life through the Eucharist. And may you, the Elect in our midst, boldly proclaim your presence to the Lord as you inscribe your names in the Book of the Elect and take you place with all of your sisters and brothers – young and old – rich and poor – saints and sinners … who have been called by God and chosen as his own this day.
