From Our Pastor: The Sacrificial Life of the Priesthood
Lord, help us see. Help us see the great high priest that we have in Jesus Christ. Last week He spoke perfectly of true power and authority. Power and authority perfected in the priesthood of Jesus Christ looks like obedience, suffering, sacrifice, and death. His apostles mistakenly want power and authority in the mindset of the world. Instead, Jesus shows us that true power lies not in positions of social esteem or in forcefully ordering others about, but in living and loving as He does through His sacrificial priesthood.
The second reading this weekend expands on this idea, painting a clear image of how His priesthood is to be lived out in His Church today.
I have heard that some are disgruntled about our priests, particularly me, being away from the parish. I want to explain a few things. First and foremost, there are times we are required to attend things for the diocese. Priest retreats, convocations, and the annual priest meetings are just a few of the ones that are required by all. This is true for all priests. In addition, I am elected to a few boards for the diocese and thus have required meetings.
I also go on trips with our youth group and school students that are invaluable to their formation as disciples of Jesus Christ. These events include the National Catholic Youth Conference, Catholic Heart Work Camp, and the eighth-grade class trip (now to Washington, DC). I also have vacation and retreat time that I am not only given but encouraged to use as a way to maintain a healthy balance.
You may wonder about other priests who do not attend as many out-of-town events—this is not a commentary on them! Every priest has to discern, with the help of the Holy Spirit, what and how to attend to the matters of his priesthood, and we all work together to ensure the obligations to the souls under our care are met.
For example, last week I was on a trip with the eighth graders from St. Francis and St. Dominic. I can assure you this was not a vacation nor was it relaxing. While exhausting, it was a joy to serve as a chaplain to the kids as they made this pilgrimage to our nation’s capital. I am so grateful to Fr. Scott and Fr. Ken for ensuring that everyone here at St. Francis is taken care of sacramentally and spiritually every time I have to be away. They are both stellar priests who are more than competent in the duties they cover while I am away.
I promise it is a rare occasion that I am ever gone on a weekend. Before you get upset, do keep in mind that we are so blessed to have three priests, which allows us to have a longer rotation for each Sunday Mass. Please just remember that I have many sheep to care for, and the Church is universal.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. I am dedicated to St. Francis and our children, but I simply cannot be everywhere all the time. I love the priesthood and wouldn’t change it for the world, but it isn’t easy. Recently, I have had more priest friends leave the ministry either temporarily or permanently. In most instances, it’s because people are not understanding and expect us to be perfect and attend every parish event, which is neither healthy nor possible.
Please be patient with me and the other priests. Even more than patience, I ask you to please pray for us, for those who are struggling and hurting, and for more men to discern the priesthood.
Just as our readings outlined in last week’s Gospel and in the Letter to the Hebrews today: It’s a sacrificial life, but it’s a true, good, and beautiful life.
Pax et bonum
- Rev. Steven Arisman