Reflect: The Year of the Priest.
THE YEAR OF THE PRIEST.
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CHRIST THE REDEEMER
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Welcome to my third post on 'The Year
of the Priest' Series. Each week until end of June 2010, this series will
provide food for thought on the Year of the Priest',examine how we, as
laity, can appreciate the gift of Priesthood in the Sacrament of Holy Orders,
and encourage our priests in this special year. If you missed my last two posts
on this series, why not take a look.
I wish to focus our attention on how
we might actively help our priests. I will use the acrostic form P-R-I-E-S-T
PRAY.... REFLECT...IMAGINE...ESTEEM...SUPPORT
...THANK
Let us continue with REFLECT.
We all have our meanings and ways to
reflect. I am defining it as 'to think quietly and calmly'. So how do we
reflect-'think quietly and calmly' on our priests?
Here is a suggestion which I have
tried and tested over the years:
1.
Think well of your priest: I think about his involvement in my life's journey. I see it as a
series of mysteries- some joyful, some sorrowful, some luminous- all hopefully
leading to the glorious later on.
2.
Make a list of the priests whom God
has put across your path: Over the years, I have had
contact with a number of priests- some for work, some as acquaintances, some as
close friends, some for personal spiritual growth, and of course some for
sacramental life in the church. I have discovered over the years is that
each one falls under a category.
o
Preparing me for the journey (transitory
relationship).
o
Travelling on the journey
(sustainable relationship)
I have also noted that the my 'preparing me for the
journey priest' has offered me gifts, and it is often much later, in some
cases, years later, that I realized the thread that God wove at that time. Each
priest in either category is a vital thread in God's tapestry for me.
3. Reflect on the Priests who gave you the
Sacraments: I reflect on the gift of the priest administering the
Sacraments:
o
A priest baptized me into the Body of
Christ, ushering me into the household of faith. I used to send him a card or
visit him around the anniversary of my Baptism. He passed away some years
ago,but he is still remembered by prayer and through the Mass.
o
A priest brings God's peace and
forgiveness to me in the Sacrament of Penance. I am grateful for whatever
spiritual direction the priest offers in this sacrament to me, whether it seems
relevant or not to me. He is acting in the person of Christ, who knows
precisely what I need to hear.
o
A priest celebrates the Eucharist and
welcomes me to the sacred banquet in which Christ is received.
o
A priest is the Church's witness in
the sacrament of Matrimony.
o
A priest administers the sacrament of
Anointing of the Sick and blesses the dying. I know first-hand what a comfort I
felt receiving this sacrament and how kind and compassionate he was to me when
dad and mum were unwell
o
A Bishop of course confirmed me- I
like to remember that they too are pastors.
Priests are human despite acting the persona of Christ in the
sacraments. They have their own joys, and sorrows. Are you there
for your priest when he needs encouragement, consoling or able to assist in
carrying his heavy burden? Being a dedicated priest needs courage and
determination.
Reflect on how you can assist your priest. He needs:
o
Co-operation rather than
withholding support.
o
Enthusiasm rather than pouring cold
water on a new project.
o
Consoling when he is troubled and
down.
Above all he needs MY TLC- Tender Loving Care in whatever form it seems
appropriate.
During this Year of the Priest, reflect on your attitude to the priesthood, the
priests you know and love and the priests who have journeyed with you.
How will YOU think quietly and calmly and reflect?
How might YOU be able to encourage YOUR priests.
