Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mk. 10:42-45 (Memorial of Philip Neri)
It's not about power. It isn't about prominence. It's certainly not about being important. The attribute which must reside in the person discerning priesthood must be servitude. Today we remember St. Philip Neri who had great love for the Church in a period of confusion and brokenness. St. Philip's response as a layman was to form groups of disciples to grow in their understanding of the scriptures and of the faith. For years St. Philip worked within the community in order to build up the Body of Christ. From his service to the Catholic community, a vocation was noticed and empowered.
St. Philip's story reveals the source from which we desire all vocations to come from, the community recognizing a gift for service in a particular person and asking him to serve them in a particular way. The priesthood isn't about power, prominence or importance, rather it is the invitation to serve. May we empower our young church to courageously live the gospel and serve their community in consequential ways. Then, we notice a particular quality in a particular person invite them to serve in the most humble way, by inviting them to lose themselves and become a priest of Jesus Christ.
Where might I grow in my service to my Church community?
Jesus, give us an abundance of servants for your church.
Reflection by:
Fr. Chuck Dornquast
Did You Know...
Fr. Chuck Dornquast is a son of St. Joseph Parish in Zephyrhills. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School he entered seminary where he would spend the next 9 years. While in seminary he spent time at many of our diocesan parishes and discovered more and more the heart of Christ the High Priest within him. After ordination he spent his first 4 years of priesthood as the associate pastor of St. Lawrence in Tampa. He currently serves the Diocese of St. Petersburg as the Director of Vocations.
Pray with us for the men and women discerning the priesthood and religious life. To pray for our seminarians by name or to find out more about the Diocese of St. Petersburg vocations office, click here
