My Brother Priest

Raising the cup of salvation and calling on the name of the Lord

05/11/2019

John 6:60-69 Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

Today, May 11, is a historic day in the diocese of Little Rock because we will have a new priest ordained in Rome. Normally, our priests are ordained here in Arkansas. To be a little more precise, he has already been ordained when we recall that Rome is seven hours ahead of Central Standard Time in the United States. That is, if it’s 7 a.m. here in Fort Smith, it is currently 2 p.m. in Rome, Italy. Congratulations, Fr. Martin Amaro, on your priesthood ordination! It seems ironic to talk about “time” in the Eternal City, yet so it is until we arrive in our true home of heaven, where time stops ticking. Bishop Taylor, together with several diocesan priests, traveled to Rome and our bishop celebrated Fr. Martin’s ordination earlier today. Apparently, the pope was busy with something more important, but what could possibly be more important than ordaining the next associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Church?

I’m sorry that I don’t really know Fr. Martin personally. I’ve only seen his soft smile on the seminarian poster. But I would like to say three things about him relative to the three scripture readings today.

First, in Acts 9, we see Peter performing mighty miracles, even raising the dead to life. Even though one could argue the Acts of the Apostles is predominantly about St. Paul, there is no doubt about the preeminence of the Petrine ministry, that Peter is the first of the apostles. Peter’s apostolic authority will be on full display and demonstrated in a definitive way in Acts 15, at the first church council in Jerusalem. After Peter speaks the discussion is settled. As St. Augustine famously put it: “Roma locuta, causa finita est” (Rome has spoken, the case is closed). It’s significant, therefore, that Fr. Martin has studied theology for four years in Rome, close to the heart and head of the Church, Pope Francis, the successor of St. Peter. In Acts 9:38 in today’s scripture, we read: “The disciples, hearing that Peter was [in Joppa] sent two men to him with the request, ‘Please come to us without delay’.” We can expect our new associate pastor to teach us that same respect and reverence for Pope Francis, the 265th successor of St. Peter. Fr. Martin will know well how to translate that adage, “Roma locuta, cause finita est.”

Secondly, I love Psalm 116, and always hear it as a profoundly Eucharistic hymn of praise and thanksgiving. Listen to verses 12-13: “How can I repay the Lord / for all the great good done for me? / I will raise the cup of salvation / and call on the name of the Lord.” When I was ordained twenty-three years ago, I remember very well being hit by two powerful feelings. On the one hand, I was aware of how unworthy I was to be a priest; I’m a sinful man. On the other hand, I was deeply grateful that God called me anyway, in spite of my sins. Every day I celebrate Mass and lift up the cup of salvation (the chalice), Psalm 116 comes to mind. Every day that goes by, I become more aware of my own unworthiness and also of God’s great goodness.

Today, for the first time, Fr. Martin raised that “cup of salvation” as a priest, and “called upon the name of the Lord.” When he arrives here in Fort Smith, I hope he will share how he feels every time he celebrates Mass for us. He will “raise the cup of salvation” not only “in the name of the Lord,” but also in our name, as he prays for us. And today for the first time Fr. Martin fulfilled Psalm 116.

Finally, a word about the gospel from John 6, the conclusion of Jesus’ Bread of Life discourse and his command to eat his Body and drink his Blood. When the vast majority of disciples are scandalized and abandon our Lord, Jesus turns to the twelve to ask if they will leave him, too. Peter, the first of the apostles, replies humbly: “Master, to whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life.” In spite of all his sins, struggles, and stubbornness, Peter stayed faithful to Christ. Fr. Martin has completed four years of theology studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. At the root of all his religious studies resides that unshakable faith of St. Peter, the Rock, on which Jesus built his church.

I read an article recently on the clergy sexual abuse scandal and the write interviewed the men (maybe even Fr. Martin) studying at the NAC (the acronym for the North American College). The NAC is sometimes called “The West Point of the American Church” because that’s where bishops send their best and brightest seminarians. (I was not sent to Rome, by the way.) Then head of the seminary, the rector, Fr. Peter Harman, said the scandal has been hard on the seminarians at the NAC. He also observed: “None of us would have asked for this scandal and the hurt its caused. But perhaps, and I trust in God’s goodness, if this makes us want to be priests for the right reasons, then let it be.” In other words, that’s the kind of faith Peter had and that’s the kind of faith I hope Fr. Martin has and I can’t wait to learn from him.

The article ended with this optimistic note, again quoting Fr. Harman. “In that sense,” he said, clearly aware of the irony of what he was about to say, “this is a good time to be in the Church.” And I would personally only add, “It is even a better time to be a priest,” like the newly ordained associate of Immaculate Conception. Today, Fr. Martin became my brother priest, and he will be forever.

Praised be Jesus Christ!