The gift of the priesthood
The priesthood is a gift, not a merit or the result of someone else's request. It is God himself who addresses his invitation to the chosen men whom he wishes to bestow the priesthood. The faithful who enjoy the ministry of priests should also accept it as a gift. It is not people who choose a priest to represent them before God, but it is God who chooses a priest to meet people through him. It is through the priesthood that God makes himself present and acts among his people. Because the priesthood is a great gift of God, it must be especially respected and protected by prayer. They can be lost, and then everyone will suffer.
Are we aware of our responsibility for the gift of the priesthood? During our various meetings, including family meetings, very often the topic appears: sins of our parish priest; this priest did it, that one did even worse. How much better would it be if we devoted this time to praying for our priests? Are we aware of the great responsibility each priest carries? And yet the priest is a man of flesh and blood. He experiences his stresses, is tormented by various temptations, he may experience crises of faith, vocations, ministry, loneliness and age. The evil spirit also directs its attacks towards the priesthood and priests. Today it has become fashionable to mock the priesthood. God's Word tells us why this is so. “Strike the shepherd that the sheep may be scattered” (cf. Zech. 13: 7). We are witnesses of a great spiritual fight for priests, but also for God's life in us. What do sheep do when there is no shepherd?
The priesthood is a great gift, a gift asked for and prayed for. A gift for the priest himself, but above all for the entire community of believers. A gift so often neglected and ridiculed today. One would like to ask: Do we still need priests today? Does man need a priest? Sometimes we hear: I believe in God, but I do not need the Church and priests. How can one drink the water from the Source of Life without accepting the well from which the water is drawn?
It is good that there is an awareness of the demands towards priests. But it is also true that the faithful are responsible for their priesthood. The priest is the PRIEST not for himself but for others. To pray for him, surround him with respect and friendship, support him in difficult times and defend him against evil - this is a great task for all of us today. Supporting priests is a serious challenge for every Christian who feels his responsibility for the Church. The Church has many people who devote their prayers and lives to priests. These include Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus: “For a long time I have had a desire - as it seemed to me - impossible to fulfill, namely, to have a priest brother. Meanwhile, Jesus not only gave me the grace that I wanted, but he connected me with spiritual bonds with two of his apostles who became my brothers. [...] I trust that by the grace of God I will be useful to more than two missionaries, and at the same time I will not forget to pray for all, including ordinary priests whose mission is just as difficult. "
Every priest is aware of his weakness. He also knows that the work to which he has been called surpasses him. Therefore, it needs the support of many people. When he undertakes evangelization, when he preaches the Word and celebrates the sacraments, but also in his ordinary everyday life he also needs those who spiritually participate in this ministry. God knows from who more depends on – from priests or those who come to their aid in various ways.
One more thought
During the Second World War across Poland, thousands of priests died in prisons and concentration camps; thousands of churches and monasteries were confiscated, closed or destroyed and priceless works of religious art and sacred objects were lost forever. Church leaders were targeted as part of an overall effort to destroy the Polish culture.
In 1940, Hitler proclaimed: “Poles may have only one master – a German. Two masters cannot exist side by side, and this is why all members of the Polish intelligentsia must be killed.” Between 1939 and 1945, an estimated of 3,000 members (18%) of the Polish clergy, were murdered, of these, 1,992 died in concentration camps. Thousands were killed by Soviets. 3,563 Polish Priests survived concentration camps, prisons, and repression. Their blood is the seed of priestly vocations and I am one of them.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george
Prayer for Priests
By St. John Vianney
God, please give to your Church today
many more priests after your own heart.
May they be worthy representatives of Christ the Good Shepherd.
May they wholeheartedly devote themselves to prayer and penance;
be examples of humility and poverty;
shining models of holiness;
tireless and powerful preachers of the Word of God;
zealous dispensers of your grace in the sacraments.
May their loving devotion to your Son Jesus in the Eucharist
and to Mary his Mother
be the twin fountains of fruitfulness for their ministry.
Amen.