Father Ryan Higdon

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time – February 9th, 2014
Today’s  readings can be found here.
For the past two weeks he has been on my mind and heart. I dont rightly know why. Perhaps its because I find myself in need of his example and peace in these early days of my priesthood. Maybe its because he’s been praying for me? Or it could simply be that his story is what is needed. I believe its a mixture of all three.
I don’t pretend to be among those who knew him best or even among those who were closest to him. I merely claim to be one of his boys. I claim to be one of the many men he affected greatly by his example. Its his memory and the stories of his life that have sparked this homily.  Stories are what make us a people because they help us understand who we are.  I tell this story of a soul not out of any sense of honor due him, (although there is indeed honor warranted) but simply because I feel that if he inspired me he might inspire you. This Sunday’s readings make it rather clear that we are all in need of that light on a lamp stand; a bit of salt to flavor our lives, a story to warm our soul. This homily is then a story of what he was to me and what his example has called me to be.
 
Who has been an example to you? Who has called you to be a light on a hill?
 
(Why have I not mentioned his name? I didn’t mention his name because as I prayed about this it became rather clear that I shouldn’t. Its more about the story and who he was to us “boys” than who he was. Plus, I get the deep feeling that he’d prefer to keep his name out of it. He’d like it that way.)
 
Featured photo by Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P.