And, from where I stand, I am pleased to report that you, David Stanfill look like a man in love! And you, Jonathan Goertz, look like a man in love! You both look like men who have given your heart to the Lord!

David, your parents first to taught you what love could look like, as you grew up in Illinois, and then Memphis. Your family taught you to love Christ and his church. When you were in high school, you first explored the call to priesthood. But then the Lord revealed another gift to you. Her name was Jamie Beaton. You came to know her, and you looked like a man in love! The Lord Jesus called you to the vocation of marriage. And you said “I do.”

You gave your heart to Jamie. Your love gave birth to your wonderful children who are here with you today. For years, you pursued your career, raised your children, and served the church in that far-off missionary territory named…Fincastle.  And then, after your wife’s valiant struggle with cancer, the Lord Jesus had another surprise for you….he called you to that vocation you had prayed about in high school.

The faculty of Sacred Heart School of Theology (near Milwaukee),  taught you to exude the love of Christ – and we are delighted to welcome Fr. Jan de Jong, rector of that seminary, with us today. In your parish ministry and in your preaching, the people of God see love – the mature, fatherly love of a man who has seen much in life. In you, we catch a glimpse of the Christ’s love. You look like a man in love today! 

Jonathan Goertz – you look like a man in love. Like David, it was your family which first taught you what love looks like, and we are delighted that your parents and sister are with us today. When you came to the College of William and Mary, you had powerful experiences of Christ’s love, and began to realize that your life was not your own. You went off to Namibia, where you used your language skills to serve the people of Africa. You have a heart for missionary service and global justice. Whether on a service trip to Haiti, or your pastoral internship in Yorktown, your gentle strength, your quiet eloquence, and your deep prayer shine through. The faculty at St. Mary’s Seminary, represented today by Fr. Luis Corneli, helped to deepen your wisdom and love. We catch a glimpse of Christ in you. You look like a man in love.    

Msgr. Kelly said that a priest should look like a man in love! Well, I suggest that every baptized person should look like they are in love - with Christ! The invitation from our first reading is extended to everyone – “give your heart to Christ,” and let his love shine in your life! As we watch these two men say “yes” to Christ today, we can be renewed in our OWN ‘yes’ to Christ.

A few days before he died, Msgr. Bill Sullivan asked me to preach about priesthood when it came time for his funeral. He said, “But don’t preach about one priest – preach about THE priest. Talk about the only one who matters. Talk about Jesus.” Jonathan, David, listen to what Jesus says today. Jesus says: “Whoever wishes to be great among you should be your servant. Whoever wishes to be first among you should be your slave.”

We already know that you look like men in love. Jesus says you should also look like men who serve, men who are humble enough to do whatever is needed to care for the people of God. As we watch you serve, we can be inspired to serve. As we experience your humility, we can learn to be humble.

Charlie Kelly and Bill Sullivan have gone home to God. But they still have something to teach us. That is why I ask you to watch carefully when the bread, and the wine, and the cups, are placed upon the altar in a few minutes. Because, on that altar, you will see the chalice that was used by Charlie Kelly when he celebrated his first mass. And you will see the chalice of Bill Sullivan, which he used at His first mass. That chalice has been given to David Stanfill by the Sullivan family, and David will use it at his first mass tomorrow.

I believe that chalice summarizes this ordination. David, Jonathan, today the Lord entrusts a precious gift to you – he entrusts ordained priesthood to you. Just as a chalice is handed on to the newly ordained, God hands on to you the gift of priestly ministry.

But remember this, David and Jonathan – the priesthood is not yours. Christ is the priest – we simply share in HIS ministry. Christ is the messiah – we simply share his message. Christ is the shepherd – we simply care for a small portion of his flock. Christ places the precious gift of ordained ministry into your hands today – and you will exercise that ministry for as long as you live. And then, you too will be called home to God…and someone else will be ordained, and someone else will tend the flock, and someone else will preach the Gospel.  

Many priests have come before, many will follow. So, in the end, this is not about David, or Jonathan, or Charlie Kelly, or Bill Sullivan – this is about Jesus Christ. He is the beginning. He is the goal. He gathers his church for his mission.

In the grand flow of history, you will hold priesthood in your hands for a short time, and then someone else will pick up your chalice. In the same way, every person in this Cathedral has been entrusted with a vocation, and a mission. God has placed each of us on this earth for a reason, and given us a small patch of his garden to tend.

So, what I say to David and Jonathan, I say to everyone in this Cathedral: Give your heart to the Lord. LOOK like people in love. Serve your brothers and sisters. Be faithful and humble. And, stay focused on Jesus…the Jesus who is the only one who matters. May that same Jesus Christ be praised, now and forever. Amen.