Welcome to my fifth 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
four posts on this series, why not take a look.'
I wish to focus our attention on how we
might actively help our priests.
To encourage your priest is to hold him
high regard or esteem. Many may say that in years gone by that priests were put
on a pedestal and they needed to be pulled down. If your hold this view, then why
not review your attitude as you consider the following aspects:
·The priest renews the laity through the
Mass and utters the words of Christ at the consecration. He acts in the
person of Christ as He utters these words. His reverence at the altar can
assist us to connect with our God who loves us. Since he acts in the
personna of Christ in the Sacraments, cultivating a feeling of respect and healthy
affection for your priest provides encouragement for him.
·Hold him in regard for hearing and
listening to God's call to him and then persevering through his seminary
training. He could have quit but he did not.
·Esteem him for his efforts and
Christian example. He is human too and we, as the laity can only be too ready
to notice blemishes in his behaviour. Esteem him for his efforts in Christian
example.
·Esteem him for his ability to hold to
the seal of the confession: He hears all our problems, worries, sins and
concerns lovingly. We can pour out our heart knowing his lips are sealed. Can
we say and do the same thing if we are given confidential information?
·Hold him in regard for his never-ending
workload facing him. A good priest inevitably makes himself available and
approachable to help his parishioners in so many ways.
·Esteem all the priests who have not
shirked their vocation, faithfully preached God's Word, nurtured the faith of
his flock, and who have faithfully taught the doctrines of the church in and
out of season regardless of the personal cost of unpopularity.
If you were asked to give the eulogy
at your priest's requiem, what would you say.? Making a list of his
positive and perhaps quirky traits and behaviours may enlighten you and help
you to hold him in high regard.
To hold a priest in high regard and
esteem him is not placing him on a pedestal. It is recognising who he
really is and appreciating him. He is your brother in Christ.
In this Year of the
Priests, may we hold all priests in high regard
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