My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, what a glorious day this is! We gather today to witness something truly remarkable – the ordination of Deacon John to the sacred priesthood. And the Gospel we've just heard about Jesus' baptism in the Jordan couldn't be more fitting for this occasion.
You know, when I first read this Gospel passage in preparation for today, I found myself puzzling over the same question that has perplexed Christians for centuries: Why would Jesus, who was without sin, need to be baptized? John the Baptist himself was confused by this! He protested, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" It seems almost backwards, doesn't it?
But as I reflected on this mystery, and as I thought about what we're celebrating today with Father John's ordination, I began to see the profound connections between Christ's baptism and what happens when a man is ordained to the priesthood.
Let me share with you what I believe are four crucial dimensions of Jesus' baptism that speak directly to us today – and especially to Father John as he begins his priestly ministry.
First, Jesus' baptism was a moment of decision. He knew that the time had come to begin his public ministry. He was stepping forward, making himself known, committing himself to the mission the Father had given him. In the same way, Father John's ordination is a moment of profound decision. He has discerned, prayed, prepared, and now he steps forward to say "yes" to God's call in a definitive way. This isn't a casual commitment – it's a total gift of self.
Second, it was a moment of identification. This is perhaps the most beautiful aspect of Christ's baptism. Although Jesus himself had no need to repent for sins, he wanted to identify himself completely with sinners – with us! He was willing to stand in the waters of the Jordan alongside tax collectors, prostitutes, and all manner of people seeking God's mercy. He was saying, in effect, "I am one with you. Your struggles are my struggles. Your humanity is my humanity."
Christ became one like us to enter totally and completely into our humanity in every way but sin. He can understand our weaknesses, our failures, our temptations and our sorrows, as well as our joys, successes and accomplishments. He paid the full price for us, right up front when he died on the cross for us.
And isn't this exactly what a priest does? Father John, through your ordination, you are configured to Christ in a special way. You identify yourself with God's people – all of them. The sick and the healthy, the joyful and the sorrowful, the saint and the sinner. You will stand with them in their moments of greatest need, bringing Christ's presence to them.
Third, Jesus' baptism was a moment of approval. Listen again to those powerful words from heaven: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." At the very beginning of his public ministry, the Father spoke his approval and affirmation. Father John, at your ordination yesterday, when Bishop John laid hands on you and invoked the Holy Spirit, God was speaking his approval over you as well. You are called, you are chosen, you are loved by God.
And fourth, it was a moment of empowerment. The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove, anointing him for his mission. He would proclaim good news to the poor, liberty to captives, sight to the blind. He would confront the forces of power and injustice. He would bring God's kingdom to earth.
Father John, you too have been empowered by the Holy Spirit through your ordination. You didn't lay down on that floor yesterday because it was comfortable, or because you were tired! You didn't make those promises because you would gain anything in return. You did all that, first and foremost, because God asked you to. And now the Holy Spirit will enable you to be Christ's hands and voice in this world.
For twenty-five years, Deacon John faithfully served the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo at St. Vincent de Paul Church. Then as a deacon in formation into the Priesthood for the Polish National Catholic Church, you served at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Niagara Falls and the Parish of Our Lady in Brant. His gifts for preaching about the Eucharist, his work establishing prayer groups, his ministry as a spiritual director – all of this has been preparation for this moment. People know him as kind, humble, a true spiritual mentor. And now, as Father John, he will be able to offer even more – celebrating the Eucharist, anointing the sick and dying, bringing Christ's presence to those who desperately need it.
But here's what I want all of us to remember today: What happened at Jesus' baptism, and what happened at Father John's ordination, is connected to what happened at our own baptism. Through baptism, we all become children of God. We are identified as adopted sons and daughters, no longer children of darkness but children of light. We become known by the name "Christian" – that is, followers of Christ. God accepts us as his own and sends his Holy Spirit upon us.
Being a child of God made a difference in Father John's vocation, but what difference does it make in our lives? How do we live out our baptismal identity?
We witness to God's presence through our daily interactions with others. We bring Christ's compassion and mercy into our homes, our workplaces, our communities. We stand with those who suffer. We speak up for justice. We offer comfort to the grieving and hope to the despairing.
This world desperately needs the priesthood, yes. But it also desperately needs baptized Christians who take their identity seriously. The world needs witnesses who know how to love. And as St. Paul reminds us, Christ died for all so that all who live might no longer live for themselves but for Christ.
Father John, your whole identity has now been configured to Christ. You speak in his voice at Holy Mass – his "I" becomes yours. You are called to love Christ totally, and to love as he did, even to the end. When you are fifty years ordained, you will still get up in the middle of the night to go to the sick, and you may be tired and exhausted, but you will go every time you are called because you believe that you are the bearer of the salvation of Jesus Christ.
To many you will open the gates of heaven. When there seemingly was no chance, you will give them words of comfort and forgiveness and peace, and heaven will open for them because of what you did. Never forget that. In the midst of all the distractions, all the worries, all the challenges, keep before you the heaven that awaits you and the Lord Jesus who will be waiting to thank you for what you did for his brothers and sisters.
For the rest of your life, you will be called Father. As a father looks forward to coming home to see his children, so will you look forward to each Sunday, to see your spiritual family. You will laugh with them and cry with them, enjoy their successes and mourn their losses. And Father John, you have been blessed with the support of your beloved wife Lynda. Thank her for giving you the time to serve God's children as well as your own. In the Polish National Catholic Church, we honor both the call to marriage and the call to priesthood, following the ancient Christian tradition where married men have served at the altar, just as they did in the early Church.
It was your love for the Church and for Jesus Christ that brought you to this day. May that same love keep your priesthood holy and filled with many blessings.
And for all of us here today, may we never forget that we too were baptized. We too were claimed by God. We too heard the Father say, "This is my beloved child." If we live lives worthy of the name "Christian" – if we love as Christ loved, if we serve as Christ served, if we give ourselves as Christ gave himself – then someday we too might hear those words again: "This is my beloved child, with whom I am well pleased."
Always remember the glory of this weekend. The glory to which Father John has been called and now, finally, been given. And may we all give thanks to God for another father among us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
