HOMILY
Chrism Mass – March 31, 2026
Brothers and sisters, welcome to our cathedral. … Thank you for your presence as the Church of Scranton gathers this day to celebrate our faith in Jesus Christ, to acknowledge his saving grace in our lives and to affirm our call to discipleship.
What a glorious gathering this is! Yet, for all its splendor, it’s fair to say that it takes place during sobering times. Our world is fraught with suffering, pain and uncertainty. Wars are raging around the globe, with brave men and women of our own armed forces in harm’s way at this very hour. Immigrants who have come to our land like generations before, simply seeking a better life for their families, are treated with little dignity and subjected to actions that they do not deserve. Hatred spawned by antisemitism is rampant. And each of us carries our own stories of crosses that have made their way into our lives in one way or another.
Nonetheless, our presence during this time of prayer affirms that what we celebrate has the power to give us hope in the face of adversity, doesn’t it? We engage an ancient tradition in which the richness of our diversity, roles and responsibilities coalesce in a spirit of unity. We acknowledge with gratitude our rightful places within the Church as disciples of Jesus Christ, entrusted with the gift of sharing in Jesus’ priestly identity and work through baptism. We also joyfully affirm those called forth by God to share in Jesus’ ministerial priesthood.
And we gather for a purpose. In a few moments, oils will be presented – the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens, and Sacred Chrism. These sacramental oils used to sanctify each of us as faithful members of the Church are channels of holiness that will be blessed and consecrated in the presence of so many of you – the Church of Scranton – as we, your priests, renew our commitments to serve.
Listen once again to the Word of God that speaks to us through the Book of Revelation. “Grace to you and peace from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by this Blood, who has made us into a Kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.”
While these opening words of Revelation are reminiscent of many New Testament epistles, their significance ought not be lost because of their familiarity. The blessings of grace and peace, which John proclaims, issue from a God immersed and active in our world – a God present in Jesus Christ. The very titles of Jesus enumerated by John – the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth – spoke directly to the earliest Christians in the face of persecution, giving them reason for patient endurance – giving them hope – and giving them the assurance of God’s presence abiding in their lives.
Brothers and sisters, we need to allow the Word of God from the Book of Revelation to speak to our hearts as well, lest we lose a sense of its relevance in our world today that just as desperately needs the reassurance of God’s presence as did the first communities of believers.
My brother priests, it is our responsibility to preach that Word! We are charged in a unique way to proclaim Jesus’ presence and to be God’s instruments in bringing his life and love to our suffering world. From the very day of our priestly ordination, we were both set apart and immersed in the lives of God’s people to sow seeds of mercy, promise and peace.
Yet, in as much as we have been called to this lofty and privileged task, because we hold these truths in earthen vessels, we often struggle to experience Jesus’ consolation in our own lives, don’t we? It’s worth noting that sixty years ago, with the promulgation of Presbyterorum ordinis, the Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests issued in the documents of the Second Vatican Council, the Fathers of the Council offered these words, “Having before our eyes the joys of the priestly life, this holy synod cannot at the same time overlook the difficulties which priests experience in the circumstances of contemporary life. For we know how much the scale of values is changed. As a result, the ministers of the Church and sometimes the faithful themselves feel like strangers in this world, anxiously looking for the ways and words with which to communicate with it.”
Had I not referenced the Council decree, most of us would have attributed these words to Pope Leo, Pope Francis or some other contemporary Church leader rather than presuming that they were written over two generations ago. For some of us, no doubt, the timeliness of these words prompts some questions. Have we learned nothing over the past sixty years? Why do we still struggle to engage our world in a convincing manner? What of those words of consolation proclaimed by Saint John in the Book of Revelation?
While we have surely grown in wisdom and knowledge over the past sixty years, these words of the Council Fathers are timeless. The Gospel of Jesus will always be counter cultural. And the cross will never be eradicated from our lives.
Brothers, I know it’s frustrating to face the challenges that our ministry confronts every day, from fewer people worshipping, to parish modifications, to a lack of resolve on the part of many to embrace the teachings of our faith, not to mention the growing need to simply keep our people safe within our churches. But let’s not delude ourselves into believing that with enough careful planning, proper catechesis and episcopal wisdom, we can rid our world of the folly that has pervaded it and the crosses that have been planted within it. Of course we need to be wise and courageous in confronting the evils of our age, to plan for our future and to soothe the wounds of our brothers and sisters – and our own. But we also need to remember whose kingdom we are building. Recall these words of Pope Leo offered to newly ordained priests, “The Holy Spirit has constituted you as stewards. Not masters, but keepers. The mission belongs to Jesus. He is Risen, therefore He is alive and goes before us. None of us is called to replace him.”
So, brothers, there’s no reason to despair in the challenges that I’ve named. There is good news to proclaim. Don’t doubt for a moment that the miraculous works of Jesus still abound in our world – in this local Church – providing us with consolation and hope. They flourish among us, less in the offices of the Holy See or in the halls of our chancery, and much more in your parishes through the works accomplished by you, our priests, with the faithful souls whom you serve.
Listen to these words that I received recently – about you, “While we belong to a different parish, we often attend the church in the neighborhood where we now live, having recently moved. Day in and day out, Father has been wonderful to our family. He is always kind to us, welcomes us and provides wonderful homilies. The community has embraced us, and it is entirely due to the leadership of the pastor who fosters a spirit of service, kindness and hospitality. My children are growing up to know how the Church loves as Christ taught us, and it is a remarkable gift.”
Or these words, “I reached out to Father when my family was facing some difficult challenges. He took time to listen to my story. Through his understanding he’s brought me even closer to God. He saved me and helped me to become a better person, a better father to my children and a better husband to my wife. I believe that Father is in my church for a divine reason beyond what I could ever understand.”
These words aren’t contrived to make you feel good. Two of you here today know that very well, as I’ve shared these messages with them. No, these words represent the lives of people who have been touched by your service and care.
And there are more signs of God working mightily in our midst. … This year, in a phenomenon sweeping the Church in our land, well over three hundred men and women from our parishes will be baptized and received into full communion in the Church. They are being led to communion and discipleship not by chance but by the power of God working in families, in friends and particularly in and through the life and ministry of your parishes.
Similarly, vocations to the priesthood don’t just happen but are born in families of faith and in parish families as well. As we celebrate this day the gift of priestly service in our Church, I am so pleased to share with you that by September of this year, we anticipate being blessed with eighteen men in formation for the priesthood for the Diocese of Scranton, most of whom are with us this afternoon. We haven’t experienced such numbers in decades. The Spirit is surely at work among us!
Because of you, my brother priests, and because of the commitment of the faithful People of God who are the Church of Scranton, while there will always be disappointments, missed opportunities and far too many crosses to bear, God is building his Kingdom among us and we are richly blessed.
And one more thing, brothers, for all that we are called to embrace as priests of Jesus Christ, sometimes we expect too much of ourselves – and not enough from God. So, be humble and wise enough to give Jesus space in your lives and in your ministry and allow him to be that faithful witness of God’s great love and mercy.
In his final reflection to Pope Leo and the Roman Curia during their recent Lenten retreat, Bishop Erik Varden recalled Saint Augustine’s perspective on the ministry that we share, particularly in challenging times. “Though the pastoral burden does have a fearful aspect, it is fearful only if we fail to notice who puts the burden on our shoulders. For it is no less a participation in the sweet yoke of Christ, who lets us discover that the crossbar entrusted to us is luminous and light, that a share in it is joyful. … So, bear your own load to the end. If you hate it, it will be heavy. If you love it, it will be light.”
To my brothers and sisters who make up this local Church, thank you for living your baptism, for embracing the message of the Gospel and for doing your part in building God’s Kingdom. … And to my brother priests, thank you for your priestly service, given so generously, at great personal sacrifice and often with little recognition. Know of my love and deep respect for you, brothers, as colleagues in ministry and men of faith. … May the joy of the Kingdom, which repays all our efforts, spur us on in our mission. Amen!