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The late Pope John Paul II declared this year as the “Year of The Eucharist”. With this declaration we must consider the importance of the priest, himself. Christ instituted the Priesthood at the Last Supper 2000 years ago. They are called “Alter Christus” - other Christ’s. A very responsible title, indeed, for our priests. This responsibility falls on none other than the priest himself. At one time, altar boys were considered to be “potential priests”. Because only men can be priests, (this has been confirmed by Popes since Peter, our First Pope, appointed by Christ Himself) it is mostly youth who need the example. For the last forty years we have seen a controversy regarding this law of Christ. Why? Have we been diluting the teachings of the Catholic Church? We can NOT forget the true priest who is suffering far more than the laity because of those who are scandalous. As true Catholic Laity, it is our obligation, by the Rite of Confirmation, when we were made “soldiers of Christ”, to defend the true priest and to be strong enough to speak to, or report the scandalous priest immediately, not years later. Are we judgmental? Everything we do is judgmental. We are told not to associate with, or keep company with those who will lead us to sin. Mothers tell their children to keep away from friends who are “bad”. You take a certain paths to avoid temptation- one does not associate with drunkards at bars to become one of them. Hence, we all are judgmental. We can not judge someone, as only God can judge them, by saying that they will be in Hell: that’s judgmental and only for God, Himself. As our “brother’s keepers” we can only try to influence them away from sin. Each of us has to be a Catholic Example of our Catholic Teaching. As Bishop Sheen said, we cannot do “our thing”, we must do “God’s thing”. As far as the late controversy of homosexual and pedophile priests, let us pray for them to “return to their calling”, abandoning the homosexual lifestyle, and to have them know, and all of the world know, that homosexuality is a grave sin and can not be tolerated in the priesthood. To be explanatory of this situation, let’s be basic. God did not create the human anatomy so that men could bear children. God did not create the human anatomy for same sex “marriages” nor for adoption of children (family) in same sex “marriages”. Let’s be reasonable and know that our EXAMPLE is what determines the deportment of those around us. We are supposed to be the reflection of God’s Will. For priests, who are actually “other Christ’s”, we Catholics expect much from them. As we see priests in our times, we don’t really see them. How many wear the “collar” and are really an example of their priesthood. Christ said that if we are ashamed of Him, He would be ashamed of us in front of His Father. We hope and pray that that is not the reason that priests have forfeited their collars for shirts and ties. If they do not wear the “outward sign of the priesthood”, how can we find them? How can we meet them in airports, on airplanes, train stations or any other place where we are in dire need of a priest for confession, consultation, Last Rites, etc.?? How many good priests have shunned away from associating themselves and loving children, as Christ did, to teach them about Christ, because of those who have made them “persona non grata” with children? Yes, there are some who wear the collar, or Habit, who conduct them selves scandalously, but they aren’t the norm. We can NOT forget the true priest who is suffering far more than the laity because of those who are not in proper conduct. As laity, it is our obligation, by the Rite of Confirmation, as “soldiers of Christ” to defend the good Holy Priest. He must be defended and not left alone with no comfort nor praise. We are ALL sinners and have given poor example. Each of us has been scandalous, has lied, has committed adultery (even by thought), has killed by gossip, abortion etc., has dishonored his/her parents by unnecessary arguments and hurts, has taken other gods by the love of money, comforts, sports, TV. Etc, without putting things in proper perspective. None of us are “worthy” of the Passion of Christ and yet - because of the Passion of Christ - we are saved. Therefore, in this, the Year of the Eucharist, let us love our priests enough to pray for all of them; to ask for the protection of Our Lady, “Mother of Priests”, to pray for holy vocations and to stand by them when they are Holy Priests. How many of us stop to compliment them when they have celebrated a Holy Mass, or given a good homily, or done an exceptional job in the parish? They appreciate recognition and compliments as much as we the faithful. WITHOUT PRIESTS WE CAN NOT HAVE THE EUCHARIST, therefore, to comply with the Pope’s request this year, let’s encourage our “Alter Christus’s”, pray for, and admire them, when they are elevating the Host for us poor sinners who need the Eucharist for our salvation. Pray for The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. He, too, is a priest. No matter what the title or rank, ultimately the primary rank is that of the priesthood. Without the priesthood, no other rank can be achieved. Our ONLY obligation in life is to save our own souls. We cannot do it alone. We need The Eucharist and our Faithful Priests to administer IT. Let all the priests that you know hear you say: Thank you, Father, may God richly bless you and may Our Lady always be able to call you, “My son”. |
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