During this Holy Week, much of my private prayer and devotion has been focused on my priestly ministry and the responsibilities God has called me to.  I met with my monthly priest prayer group on Monday which is always a joy.  We spend an hour together in front of the Blessed Sacrament and have an opportunity to go to confession.  I’m the youngest priest in the group which is awesome because I get to hear the glory stories from the older priests and also be reminded that we’re not perfect and God lives in the struggles of our ministry.

    On Tuesday, the priests of the Archdiocese gathered together for our annual day of reflection before celebrating the Chrism Mass with Cardinal Cupich.  This was my first Chrism Mass as a priest, and part of the Mass is renewing our priestly promises to pray without ceasing, to remain chaste, and to celebrate the Sacraments of the Church with attention, reverence, and devotion.  It was awesome to renew my promises with all my brother priests in the Archdiocese of Chicago.  Priestly ministry isn’t easy and it certainly isn’t for everyone; but God still calls men to this life of service and God offers his grace to assist us in ministering to his people.  The Chrism Mass was a great reminder of the grace God offers all of us in the Sacraments to live out our vocations to the full.

    Tonight, I celebrated my first Holy Thursday liturgy.  It was awesome! Holy Thursday has always been one of my top three favorite Masses to serve as a kid (more on that in my homily, which you can read here).  Being able to get on my knees to wash the feet of parishioners and then celebrate the Eucharist surrounded by my brother priests that I live with…it was a great reminder that we are all the Body and Christ and that we need to work together if we want to build and grow the Kingdom of God on earth.  We can’t do anything alone successfully and this is why we gather as communities of faith to celebrate the Eucharist and grow as disciples.  

    While my own priestly ministry has been the focus of my prayer this past week, I have also been praying for my own parishioners that they will see the importance of their own priesthood as baptized Catholics.  We are all priests, prophets, and kings called to preach the Word, offer sacrifice, and share in God’s kingdom.  It’s my hope and prayer that all of us will grow in our priestly ministry and look to the Eucharist for help in our vocations that God has called us to.