The readings we have this weekend bring me back to my ordination about 6 years ago now, particularly the First Reading which talks about Jeremiah who had his deep encounter with God, to whom he could not but respond despite his own reservations. This is a common choice for ordinations because it speaks of each candidate’s experience of being called unique, unprecedented and unrepeatable: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you”; despite Jeremiah doubting his own ability to speak and showing concern about his age.

The prophet is an inspiration to me and to many of us who desire to continue responding to our vocation to love and to serve. Although the call on Jeremiah’s life was devoid of great visions of heaven like Isaiah, or revealed to his parents like John the Baptist, the knowledge that he had been singled out by God and set apart for an important prophetic ministry must have been a great encouragement to him, to me and to many of us.

And Just as God had a call on Jeremiah’s life, He has a call on us all, especially here at Saint Raymond’s, who trust in Christ by faith, and God can use anyone in the furtherance of His redemptive plan if we are willing to submit to Him and be used by Him.

We are on our second leg of our SOWER weekends, and we have the opportunity to continue making ourselves familiar with the different ministries and various gifts and talents each of our member brings to the table – in our desire to form a dynamic, growing and evolving community of missionary disciples who continuously desire to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ and be engaged in the teachings of His Church.

I invite you to take time to get to know the women and men who build up our Church here at Saint Raymond’s, and commit to bring our mission come to fruition for the greater glory of God!

Sempre grato,
Father Erick

For the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2022