“The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” It is hard to think of a more perfect Gospel for this weekend as today I celebrate my first ordination anniversary. It is hard to believe that a year has already gone by since I was ordained. I could never have guessed all the ways that the Lord would use me and work in my life. I remember processing down the aisle at the end of the ordination Mass and knowing and feeling that I had just been forever changed. In a new and profound way, my life was united to Jesus, and his mission was now mine. The harvest is abundant, and I had just been commissioned as one of the laborers for his harvest.
I arrived at St. John on July 1st, and it is almost scary how quickly I fell in love with this parish. I never quite realized how easily and deeply you can love a group of people. There have been times when it has been difficult and a lot has been asked of me, but as I realized when I was washing our parishioners’ feet on Holy Thursday: it is easy to serve and lay down your life for those you love. To be a laborer for Christ is not an impassive or apathetic role. He teaches us how to love and raises up that love within us so that just as he freely gave his life for us on Calvary, we might freely and even joyfully lay down our lives with him for our people. My priesthood so far has been marked by that joy whether it is playing with our school kids on the playground or reconciling the person who has been away from the Church for many years.
My priesthood has also taught me to more freely embrace my powerlessness and to surrender control to the Lord. Like most people, I like to have a grasp on the situation around me and to be able to fix things when they are going wrong. But, when I started going to the hospital for anointings and preparing funerals, I quickly realized how limited I am. In the worst circumstances of death and tragedy, there is nothing I can say or do that will make everything better. All I can do is be Christ present with them and direct their hearts back to him and to the sure and certain hope that he offers us. Jesus is not afraid to suffer with his people, and it has been a bittersweet task to let him do so through me.
The harvest in Jackson is indeed abundant, and I am so grateful that the Lord has called me here. I cannot think of a better place to be learning how to be a good priest. I encourage all of you to likewise be generous in giving yourself to the Lord and know that he has called you to bring in the harvest. There are people that he has placed in your life specifically for you to reach. Look for those opportunities to share what God has done for you and to lay down your life in love for another. There is nothing sweeter than seeing someone else come alive in faith and experience the transformation that is possible with God.
Please continue to pray for me and know that I am praying for you.
God bless,
Fr. Randy Koenigsknecht