“[Who then is the priest? He is] the defender of truth, who stands with angels, gives glory with archangels, causes sacrifices to rise to the altar on high,
shares Christ’s priesthood, refashions creation, restores it in God’s image, recreates it for the world on high and, even greater, is divinized and divinizes.”St. Gregory of Nazianzus, Catechism, 1589
All the youth of our parish were confirmed recently, and so I had the opportunity to introduce myself to the bishop. Having moved recently, I had not yet been able to meet him, and I was very much looking forward to seeing what he was like. I haven’t met dozens of bishops, but I have met several, and typically have the same experience. Probably due to busy schedules and the responsibility of their office, they usually seem preoccupied, formal, or somewhat aloof — like distant, authoritative figures living in a different realm (although not necessarily disinterested or unfriendly). So I guess I assumed, somewhere along the line, that all bishops must be like this. It’s just “a bishop thing.” Until I met our bishop a couple of weeks ago. And had one of the most profound encounters of my life.
A little backstory. For the past several months, God the Father has been making a pronounced appearance in my life, revealing Himself to me in new ways, drawing me deeper into His Heart, and inviting me to embrace even more my identity as His beloved daughter.
As I sat through that confirmation Mass, I didn’t really have any expectations, I was just happy to be there. But from the minute I saw the bishop, I knew the Lord had something special in store for me. He began to speak, and he —gasp — smiled, and a joy radiated from him and was carried on his words … into the church and into my soul. He gave the most beautiful homily I have ever heard at a confirmation, speaking directly to the youth, quoting the Pope, telling them, “You must always remember how loved you are in the sight of God” and “be courageous!” It had me in tears for the rest of the Mass, both because of what he had said, and also in gratitude for the gift of this kind, gentle, joyful man.
As I prayed after Mass, I reflected on what exactly it was about this bishop that had struck such a chord in me … was it his joyful spirit, his care and concern for the young people, his encouraging and inspiring words? And then I realized, in all these things, I saw reflected in him the face of the Father.
It was no different when I met him afterwards. I was the last person in line, and he seemed just as eager to meet me as if I had been the very first. He looked me in the eyes, he smiled at me, he saw me, he listened to me, and in every way, his demeanor said, “I’m glad you are here!” This personal experience with him and the welcome and warmth he extended to each of us there, was for me a new invitation to deeper conversion, to living still more as a child of the Father. Somehow I never made the connection that this is exactly what bishops are meant to do:
“In the beautiful expression of St. Ignatius of Antioch, the bishop is
typos tou Patros: he is like the living image of God the Father.”
Catechism, 1549
This is, to me, one of the most special things about the Pope (the Holy Father), all other bishops, and indeed, all priests, that they carry on the mission of Christ in a very real, tangible way — to reveal the face of the Father and, in so doing, to bless us.
“… the priest is called to reveal to others,
in Jesus Christ, the true face of God…”
St. Pope John Paul II
We all know that not every priest lives up to this immense responsibility to “be” the Father here on earth, and many of us have, at times, encountered priests who fail to show the Father’s mercy. But even though this is always difficult, it is vital that we resist the temptation to speak ill of any priest. Rather than inducing criticism, the faults of priests should always compel us to increase our prayer for them, remembering that their missteps bring God the greater sorrow.
Let us not sacrifice our priests in our thoughts and words, but rather, have mercy on them, remembering all the good they do for us and the miracles wrought by their hands. Starting with you and me, let’s put an end to any gossip or negative words about these heroic men who have pledged their lives to serve God by serving us. And let’s pray that the Lord will give us the grace to remember the priests who have been the face of the Father for us, and pray for them!
This week, thank a priest. Invite him over for a family dinner. Tell him you’re praying for him. Our priests, our bishops, our Pope, literally “put on their uniform” and go to war for us, God’s people — their people — every single day. They deserve our appreciation and they need the grace of our prayers.
“[Priests are] the glory and the immovable columns of the Church;
they are the doors of the eternal city; through them all reach Christ;
they are the vigilant guardians to whom the Lord has
confided the keys of the kingdom of Heaven… ”
St. Prosper
Dear, dear priests: If and when you are discouraged, tired, or feeling like you aren’t making a difference, never forget that when we look at you, you represent God to us in such a beautiful way; you reflect His fatherly love, His unlimited mercy, His tenderness, His compassion, His gentleness, the joy and delight of a father in his beloved children.
Words can never express our gratitude and appreciation for who you are, the untold daily sacrifices you make, and the unfathomable gifts we have access to because of you. Know that we love you, we support you, we pray for you. Thank you for giving your lives for us!
“May Mary, the heavenly Mother of priests, accompany you. May she who beneath the Cross united herself with the Sacrifice of her Son and after the Resurrection accepted together with the other disciples the gift of the Spirit, help you and each one of us, dear brothers in the priesthood, to allow ourselves to be inwardly transformed by God’s grace.
Only in this way is it possible to be
faithful images of the Good Shepherd;
only in this way can we carry out joyfully the mission of knowing, guiding and loving the flock which Jesus acquired at the price of his blood. Amen.”Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
