Necessary and Dangerous vocations

Prayer for the Day

O  God I pray that You may use me to be an image of Your love and grace for others; and that You may shine through me, not in my words, but in my deeds every day.  I ask You this in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Pray for us who have recourse to thee!

Rosary Intentions

Holy Mary, mother of God, priests are God’s instruments for His Son’s Presence at Mass every day.  Please look after them and protect them from the constant attacks on their vocation.  Help them to become the examples our children look up to, not down upon.

St. Joseph, husband of Mary and foster-father of our Savior, fathers are the heads of their domestic church.  Help them recognize their responsibility to respect their wives and children and to set the example in leading their families to Christ.

Reflection

When people think of policemen, firemen, or mililary personnel, they rarely think of including priests in the same category.  But I submit that, like those other worthy pursuits, the priesthood is a necessary but dangerous vocation.

On this Sunday, now designated by some organizations as Priesthood Sunday, we find the readings filled with admonitions and warnings to the priests of the Old Covenant. God had made a covenant with Levi, and so the term "levitical" priesthood. Unlike the other tribes, they received their sustenance from the Temple offerings.

In the first reading from Malachi (Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10), written for the Israelites who had returned from Babylon, God complains that the temple priests had neglected to teach well the traditions and laws of former days, and had been lax in correcting foreign customs brought back to Jerusalem from their pagan masters. Because of this, God threatens to let His anger fall on them again.

 We have a similar message in the Gospel when Jesus scolds the Pharisees and the priests for their hypocrisy and their pride. Their lives lacked humility, honesty and service. Jesus did not question their authority to teach, and urges His followers to follow their teaching, but not to follow their example. (Matthew 23:1-12)

In the second reading, St. Paul presents the model for the priests of the New Testament. He reminds the Thessalonians that "we were as gentle among you as a nursing mother cares for her children."  (1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13)  It was because of St. Paul's love for them that he labored night and day among them, both preaching the word of God, and earning his own living so as not to burden them. Throughout the writings of the other Apostles and early Church Fathers, we find the ideal of priesthood put forward.

To whom much is given, much will be required. God has chosen weak human beings as His priests. Through those weak hands, God dispenses heavenly power and strength in the sacraments. As Jesus from the cross gave His own Body and Blood, for our salvation, so He gives it over and over through the Mass. And He does this through His priests. What greater privilege can be given to a man? In return, He demands that this instrument of His strive to be himself a living mirror of Jesus' love, forbearance, and mercy. At the same time, He will hold them accountable for any neglect of their sacred duties.

On this Priesthood Sunday, may all of us in the Church thank our priests for accepting this divine office. Through our prayers for them, may God forgive their sins and weaknesses. May they always strive to be shepherds after the heart of Christ, the High Priest.