He is here for you as one who serves

By Archbishop Thomas Wenski - The Archdiocese of Miami

Archbishop Thomas Wenski preached this homily at the Mass where he installed Father Jesus “Jets” Medina as pastor of St. Peter the Fisherman in Big Pine Key, Sept. 26, 2021. Father Medina served as administrator of the parish since June 2017.

We have all met fundamentalists that believe every word of Scripture is to be taken literally. However, even the most fundamentalist knows that Jesus doesn’t want us to cut off our hands or legs or pluck our eyes. He also speaks of a millstone to be tied around the neck of one who gives scandal. Jesus is making use of Semitic hyperboles to make a point. And the point is: We all will be accountable.

We know that “gospel” means “good news” — but the Word of God is, as St. Paul says, a two-edged sword. It can cut us — but not to hurt us; but like a scalpel to heal us. If the good news sounds like “bad news” to us we need to turn to the first words of Jesus in the Gospel: Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand. If we repent, his mercy will always be there for us.

Today, of course, I am here because today you officially receive as your pastor Father Jets, who is sent to you in the name of Jesus.

Father Jets, as your pastor, is to be a faithful steward of you, the people entrusted to his care, and he is to dispense to you — with single-minded and wholehearted devotion — the means of grace by preaching the Word and administering the Sacraments.

Father Jets, love your people with a shepherd’s heart and feed them, lead them to Christ and teach them gently — by word and example.

Father Jets is entrusted with the “care of your souls,” what in Latin is called the “cura animarum.” He is to carry out his duties “not with a spirit of cowardice, but rather of power and love and self-control” (cf. Timothy).

This care of souls is a threefold task: First, he must teach you faithfully what the Church believes and teaches. Amid this changing world — with its trials, its tribulations but also with its joys and hopes — your pastor is to remind you that Jesus' words do not pass away, they do not go out of style. His words of promise remain in full force and effect.

He doesn’t speak in his own name but in the name of Christ; second, he must lead you, like the Good Shepherd, to safe pastures; and third, he must bring you to greater holiness.

In the confessional, in the Eucharist, in his ministry to the sick and bereaved, Father Jets will strengthen you in the grace that will have you grow in holiness before the Lord.

Jesus told his apostles: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Father Jets is here for you as one who serves.

Father Jets, I am sure, will serve you well; and he will serve not by calling attention to himself but by calling attention to the Lord; he will serve not by seeking his own interests but by putting first God’s will and his people’s good and well-being; he will serve not by trying to please everyone — for one who tries to do that usually ends up pleasing no one; rather he will serve you best by trying to please the Lord in all things.

Father’s qualities as a human being and as a priest are already well known to you here at St. Peter the Fisherman — and perhaps his shortcomings are also known to you as well.

Pray for your priests — give them your support. Father Jets, like most of the priests here in South Florida, left mother and father, they left what was familiar to them, they had to learn a new culture and a new language to serve in the mission fields of South Florida. You have had pastors that came here from Ireland, like Father Tony Mullane. Father Jets comes from the Philippines. Our priests speak with different accents — but they all speak the same language — the language of love.

I will now ask Father to lead you in the recitation of the Creed and to take the oath of the office of pastor.