Follow Me
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.” -John 21:18-19
Peter did not glorify God just once. Although he died only once – when he closed his eyes to this world, as did his successor, Pope Francis on Easter Monday – he glorified God over and over. His entire following of Christ was a daily dying to self in order to be with and to serve with Jesus again and again. Peter’s love for Christ was the foundation for the service he was called to carry out in Jesus’ name.
Our sacrifices, taking up the Cross each day to follow Jesus, are not just a journey for Lent. Easter faith transforms even our daily crosses. Jesus continues to call, accompany, and invite us each day to glorify God with him. Love gives life to every kind of authentic service. Even when the shape of that service changes, the love that underlies it remains and deepens.
Parents die to themselves every time they have to change a diaper, clean up a mess, get up in the middle of the night. This gives glory to God. Caregivers die to themselves every time they are called to feed, comfort and safeguard those entrusted to their care. We all die to self every time we humbly accept the service of others, doing things we wish we could still do for ourselves. Even retirement, with all its promises and dreams, requires a dying to self. Our sense of identity is closely tied to our activity, so when our activities change, we can risk losing the sense of our identity. But even there, we can discover what it means to follow Christ in a different way, glorifying God with an ever deeper love.
Here at San Pedro, our own Deacon Tom Caliguire has been called to serve and follow Christ in a different way and with a deeper love. Several weeks ago, Deacon Tom was asked to retire from liturgical ministry at the altar, where he has faithfully, proclaimed the Gospel, greeted and blessed the congregation, witnessed marriages, funerals and baptisms. Each of these ministries flows from his identity as a Deacon. Through the sacrament of Holy Orders, deacons are conformed to Christ, the Servant of his people. That sacramental grace and identity remains, even when the diaconal functions change. Deacon Tom is being called to live that identity as a Deacon in a different way, glorifying God with an ever deeper love.
On June 5, Deacon Tom celebrates the 20th anniversary of his ordination to the Diaconate. Plans are underway for a celebration in his honor, and the details will be shared next week. This will be a great opportunity to thank Deacon Tom personally for his ministry and service, which has touched so many lives and families in our parish family. In the meantime, when you see Deacon Tom at Mass, don’t hesitate to stop and give him your greetings. Let him know how he has helped you to know Christ’s love and follow Him in your own daily journey.
-Fr. Tom
