The gift of the priesthood

The priesthood is a gift, not a merit or the result of anyone's demand. It is God himself who addresses his invitation to the men he has chosen, the men he wishes to endow with the priesthood. The faithful who benefit from the ministry of priests should receive it as a gift as well. It is not people who choose a priest to represent them before God, but God who chooses a priest so as to meet people through him. It is through the priesthood that God makes himself present and acts among his people. Precisely because the priesthood is a great gift of God, it must be especially respected and protected by prayer. For it can be lost, and then everyone suffers the loss.

Are we aware of our responsibility for the gift of the priesthood? At our various gatherings, family ones included, a stock subject often comes up: the sins of our parish priest or curate; this priest did this, that one did something worse still. How much more good would come of it if we gave that time to prayer for our priests. Are we aware of how great a responsibility every priest carries? And a priest is, after all, a man of flesh and blood. He goes through his own stresses, he is harassed by all kinds of temptations, he can pass through crises of faith and of vocation, crises bound up with his ministry, with loneliness and with age. The evil spirit, too, directs his particular attacks against the priesthood and against priests. See how fashionable mockery and derision of the priesthood have become in our day. The word of God tells us why this is so. Strike the shepherd, that the sheep may be scattered (Zech 13:7). We are witnesses of a great spiritual battle for priests, but also for the life of God within us. What do the sheep do when there is no shepherd?

The priesthood is a great gift, a gift obtained by asking and by prayer. A gift for the priest himself, but above all for the whole community of believers. A gift so often today made light of and laughed at. One would like to ask: are priests still needed by us today? Does a person need a priest? Sometimes one hears: I believe in God, but I do not accept the Church and priests. How can anyone drink water from the Fountain of Life while refusing to accept the well from which that water is drawn?

It is good, too, that there is an awareness of what is required of a priest. But it is also true that the faithful bear responsibility for his priesthood. A priest is a PRIEST not for himself but for others. To pray for him, to surround him with respect and friendship, to support him in difficult moments and to defend him against evil – this is a great task for us all today. Supporting priests is a serious challenge for every Christian who feels responsible for the Church. The Church has many people who devote their prayers and their lives to the intention of priests. Among them is St Thérèse of the Child Jesus: ,,For a long time I had cherished a desire which seemed to me impossible to fulfil, namely, to have a brother who was a priest. And yet Jesus not only granted me the grace I longed for, but bound me by spiritual ties to two of his apostles, who became my brothers. […] I trust that by the grace of God I shall be of use to more than two missionaries, and at the same time I shall not forget to pray for all of them, not excluding ordinary priests, whose mission is just as difficult.”
Every priest is aware of his own weakness. He also knows that the work to which he has been called is beyond him. That is why he needs the support of many people. When he undertakes evangelisation or a retreat, when he preaches the Word and celebrates the sacraments, but also in his ordinary daily round, he needs those who take part spiritually in that ministry. God knows on whom more depends – on priests, or on those who come to their aid in all sorts of ways.

„Lord Jesus, you chose your priests from among us and sent them out to proclaim your Word and to act in your Name. For so great a gift to your Church accept our praise and thanksgiving. We ask you to fill them with the fire of your love, that their priesthood may draw people closer to you. May your power pierce through their weaknesses. Do not let them be crushed in their trials. Grant that in their doubts they may never give in to despair, never yield to temptation, and never feel abandoned in persecution. May their ministry bring you glory, and grant us the grace of supporting them with prayer. Amen.”