A Shining Light for Drifters
On Jan. 12, the community gathered for its first Mass together. Most appropriate for the returning seminarians and priests, in the Gospel reading (Mark 1:14-20), Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John at the Sea of Galilee to become fishers of men, as he announces “the time of fulfillment.” In his homily, the rector emphasized that when these men responded and followed, their lives truly began. This is the moment when they find themselves, their purpose. So too for us, responding to God’s call is the path of true self-discovery – something we cannot accomplish on our own. Fr. Bud went on, “As Gaudium et Spes says, we are always going to be a mystery unto ourselves, an unsolvable riddle, until the light of Christ shines upon us. Who we really are is who Christ calls us to be. Our vocation, our mission, is our truth.”
This illumination will only become a reality when we are saved from “drifting” – coming out from hiding behind our resistances to allow Jesus to confront us, saying, “Follow me; I will make you fishers of men.” Father Bud’s appreciation of those present was apparent: “All of you have been called and have responded. You are the best people I know. The path you have engaged in has to be the path of others.” Many of these “others” are people we know and love, living a life of drifting in a shadowy existence, whose self-discovery can only be realized through our Lord, who “knows, loves, and has called us from all eternity.” He concluded by pointing to the way of fulfillment for all priests and priest-candidates: “We are not meant to be drifters; we are meant to be finders. Let us be a burning, shining light to the men and women we encounter!”
These words were welcomed by all as the outset of the semester has offered many opportunities for outreach and growth, beginning with the annual Prayer for Christian Unity, again led by the rector and on the theme: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4). A few days later, the Catholic University community gathered for the Vigil Mass for Life, after which TC seminarians hosted the 2 am Holy Hour for Life. As usual, the seminary welcomed dozens of other seminarians who prayerfully joined the March for Life in DC. On Jan. 28, braving icy and bitter cold temperatures to cross Michigan Avenue, the community participated in the Mass for the Patronal Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas at the Basilica of the National Shrine. Other uplifting highlights in these weeks have been the convivial visits with Bishops Olson (Ft. Worth) and Pohlmeier (St. Augustine). And the month’s last days were punctuated by a deeply inspiring community workshop on “Friendship, Freedom, and Priestly Maturity” by Father Pat McDevitt, CM, Ph.D., resident priest and President and CEO of St. Luke’s Institute. This fitting topic brought the rector’s proposal to be a “shining light” full circle, as it is only with the support of true friendhsip that a man of Christ can be sustained in his daily joys and challenges.
A professor of homiletics at The Catholic University of America, Rector Stevens preaches retreats and has given presentations at seminaries, convents, and parish communities across the country. Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Edgewater, Md, has recorded his homilies given over the years. To access them, go to the parish’s Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@marionhall7298.
