Our congratulations to Br Ian Cunningham OFM who was ordained a deacon by Bishop Michael today, the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, at the Poor Clare Monastery, Nuns Island. Let us remember Deacon Ian in our prayers as he journeys towards Priesthood.
“I hear many say that it is impossible to live such a life. However, I believe it is totally possible – totally possible if in our priesthood we remain always close to God and keep our hearts firmly fixed on our calling to serve his holy people.” – Bishop Michael
Today we celebrate, what for many, is a rather strange feast. Most of our feasts focus on people – Jesus, Mary, the Holy Spirit or the saints. Today, however, our minds turn to a building and a building thousands of miles away at that. For today, the Church throughout the world, celebrates the anniversary of the Dedication of the Basilica of St John Lateran in Rome. An event that happened one thousand seven hundred and one year ago. You might be inclined to conclude: “what in God’s name does this have to do with us today in 2025 on the western coast of the most western island in Europe?”
The Basilica of St John Lateran is important because it is the Cathedral Church of the successor of St Peter – the Pope. As such it links us to the Holy Father and his role as a symbol of unity for and chief shepherd to the people of God scattered throughout the world. The Basilica of St John Lateran is often called the “Head and Mother” of all churches. Marking the Feast not only reminds us of our connection as Catholics with Rome and the Pope but it also shines a spotlight on our own churches and those sacred spaces we dedicate to God for worship.
Just across the river, to the left of us here there stands the Cathedral church of our own diocese. Here we are gathered in the Chapel of the Poor Clare Monastery. These buildings, like the Lateran Basilica, have been consecrated, their walls and altars have been anointed with the sacred oil of Chrism – they have been set apart as sacred spaces where heaven and earth unite in a unique way.
It is rare to see Jesus upset, but in the Gospel today we see him almost consumed by anger. The people have turned the temple – that most sacred of spaces for the Jewish people – into a centre of commercial activity. That place set apart for God, that place where earth unties with heaven, they have turned into a marketplace and Jesus is not happy.
Now Jews and Christians do not only consecrate and set apart buildings as a meeting place between God and humankind – they also consecrate and set apart people. The Gospel passage ends by noting how in his very person Jesus was a meeting place between humanity and the divine mystery. To see him was to see God, to hear him was to hear God. Among the followers of Jesus, certain people were called and chosen to continue this mission of being in their very selves living signposts to God.
Certain people were ordained and consecrated to serve the entire community. They were to continue the teaching of the Gospel. They were to lead the people in prayer, journey with them in the art of becoming holy – becoming the best that they could be. They were to help them to order their lives so that they and people in general reached their full potential as human beings.
Our gathering today is doubly special for just as Jesus turned to others to share in his mission we have just turned to Ian. Ian who over the last years has been seeking the face of God, listening to his voice, discerning his will in his life. Ian this journey has led you to the Franciscans and St Francis. It has stirred in your heart a desire to serve God not only in the order but also in the Priesthood. Through your profession you entered the Order of St Francis. In a few moments, through the ancient ritual of the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration you will be ordained to the order of Deacon. For you it is an important step on the road to priesthood. Through this Sacrament of Holy Orders, you will be gifted with God’s grace to be in your very self a special human meeting place between God and his people.
The word deacon comes from the Greek word “to serve”. In fact, it means “a servant”. It is a vivid reminder that the entire work of those in Holy Orders – the work of deacons, priests and bishops – is one of service. You are called, in your very being to have not only an open heart for God but also an open heart for his holy people. To be a servant, in a sense, means to think about others before ourselves, to love others before ourselves, to help others before ourselves. As the ancient rule of Francis emphasises, we are called to preach the Gospel not so much by our words but more so by our deeds.
Although, in time you hope to be ordained a priest, today’s ordination will never leave you for this call to serve God’s people is the foundation and the heart of all holy orders. In time, this call to serve will be the foundation and heart of your life as a priest.
Ian yours is a noble calling. Although today, to many, the life of a priest may seem somewhat radical, counter cultural, if not even strange. For those who are called, I believe the life of a priest is wonderful indeed. I hear many say it is impossible to live such a life. However, I believe it is totally possible – totally possible if in our priesthood we remain always close to God and keep our hearts firmly fixed on our calling to serve his holy people.
Ian, nourish your life with good things, keep close to God – friend to friend, cultivate good friends and the journey you begin today will bring you blessings beyond your greatest dreams. On the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, in this sacred place, we pray for you now asking God to pour out the Holy Spirit upon you to conform you more closely to Jesus, servant of all as you enter holy orders and are ordained Deacon. Amen.
