Priestly concerns

IT was nice of Pope Benedict XVI to have a get-together with priests who went to Rome for the conclusion of the Year for Priests last June. There he took on questions from some priests that vividly reflected their experiences, situations, predicaments, etc.

It sounded like a no-holds-barred session, almost like a bull session, where some priests expressed their most personal thoughts about their priesthood and ministry. Many times, the Pope had to preface his replies with “We are touching here on a very difficult and painful question,” that indicated the delicateness of the queries.

Here were some of the questions, obviously edited and abridged to get to the crux of the matter and to fit in this column.

- “Many of us priests are simply overwhelmed by the enormity and complexity of our work today. How should we proceed?…”

- “With the trend of divorcing theology from spirituality, how can we avoid being disoriented in our life and ministry?”

- “The world today is critical of ecclesiastical celibacy. What is the authentic meaning of celibacy?

- “How can we live poverty without falling into clericalism or into becoming extraneous to reality?”

- “How can we attract priestly vocations from today’s youth?”

Going through the transcript of the event, I could not help but notice the heroic effort the Pope had to make to give adequate answers. Each question, introduced with many vivid details, carried a lot of pathos that just can’t be pacified by smart and glib theological considerations.

The questions needed answers that spring from the heart that is vitally linked with God, and that was what the Pope tried to do. He managed to generate convincing answers drawn more from his pastoral experiences and, for sure, from his prayer, than from his vast theological knowledge.

In a nutshell, the Pope told the priests to observe the proper priorities, and to know also when to rest which is a necessity. He told them to be wary of the so-called ¨arrogance of reason¨ that kills genuine theology.

This is the big challenge of Church leaders these days. They have to lead by example. They have to walk their talk. They need to truly identify themselves with Christ and with the people, both at the same time.

This condition should be the source of their eloquence, and not some gimmicks and mere play of talents. Everyone has to know how to go beyond appearances that our present culture tends to reinforce while neglecting the real McCoy.

The saints behaved in this way. It was love that drove them to the extremes of self-giving, and not just some cleverness and luck on their part. The problems became the very food that nourished their dedication. The problems were never a hindrance to them.

This is actually not a difficult thing to do, much less, an impossible act. In the first place, this is the will of God who certainly provides all the graces we would need to lead.

And even if people can sometimes be critical of Church leadership, we can still count on a big amount of faith and goodwill that would help them overcome whatever limitations and deficiencies, let alone, mistakes there may be in Church life.

There’s always hope, though we should not abuse it. We have to try our best to truly conform ourselves to the mind, will, and ways of God, all of which can be known by us in many different manners. It’s a matter of giving our heart to God, and everything will just be fine.

The lives of saints—think of the Cure of Ars, St. Philip Neri, St. John Bosco, St. Josemaria Escriva, etc.—provide us with living proofs of how one can be effective in carrying out the fullness of our Christian life and duties if we only just give our heart to God.

The testimony of their lives and work validate what the Bible says: ¨Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough ways plain.¨ (Is 10,4)

In other words, if one fully identifies himself with God, something that can be done and should be done, nothing is impossible, even if one is faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles and challenges.

It´s this burning love and devotion to God and to souls that would lend one objectivity and comprehensiveness in reading the signs of the times as well as effectiveness in whatever needs to be done.