Jubilee years

The reason that our hearts are filled with joy and gratitude to the Lord is simply because of these sisters who are celebrating their 40 and 50 Jubilee years.

It is a blessing to be here today in the house of the Lord. At times we know that when a priest is asked to preside like this, the liturgy is difficult to articulate to comment on or to give homily and at times it is easy. Today is easy.

Let us remember that they are not sisters from eight to five, they are sisters 24/7 like mothers. There are two sisters here who are celebrating their ruby jubilee. Ruby is 40 and 40 times 2 is 80 – 80 years and then 6 sisters 50 years each who really handed 50 years plus 80 to the world bringing the Good News of the Lord. But again, what is that life that we are celebrating today?

We should not dwell on their good works. The reason why we came here today is it is about the Lord, it is about the Church. It is not their celebration. This is the celebration of the Church. God us celebrating today. By what we are celebrating today their profession, their vows, they gave their lives to the Church and to the Lord. And therefore, the church and the community is rejoicing. Obedience. They offered themselves to the Lord.

In the Gospel, a man was seeking a fulfilled life. What must I do to share everlasting life? Go and sell what you have and give to the poor. God had told these sisters to sell what hey have and give to the poor and they will have treasure in heaven. This is still a mystery that is now seen in the lives of these sisters when they entered the convent.

They said yes many years ago and they continue to say yes to the Lord. The prayer during their first vows: Oh LORD, who have inspired these sisters with the resolve to follow Christ more closely, grant them, we pray, a blessed end to the journey they now begin, so that they may be found worthy to offer you a perfect gift of loving service.

The prayer 40 years ago already envisioned a ruby, a blessed end. Even in sickness and weakness, they remain as sisters, selling everything to follow the Lord.

The Lord remembers His covenant forever. Even if they falter many times in the past 40 years, 50 years, the Lord is forever faithful.