In his element

WE just celebrated the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of

Jesus recently. There we were reminded of this very moving truth of

our faith that it was from the pierced heart of Jesus that not only

blood and water flowed but rather through them the nourishing

sacraments and all the salvific means we need have been made available

to us.

  

            The Solemnity also happens to be the Day of the

Sanctification of Priests, an intriguing coincidence meant to

highlight the strict sacramental identification of the priests with

Christ as head of the Church.

  

            As such, we cannot overemphasize the need for priests to

be truly holy as to be truly ‘another Christ,’ as all Christians are

supposed to be. Priests should somehow take the lead in this duty. It

has to be understood that to be ‘another Christ’ as head of the

Church, priests should be willing to give their all, to the extent of

willing to be crucified and pierced in the heart.

  

            I would say that it is when a priest at least would pursue

in earnest his own sanctification, his own duty to be ‘another Christ’

as head of the Church in spite of his defects, that he would be in his

element when he gives his homily at Mass.

  

            He would exude some kind of X factor that goes beyond

whatever prowess he may have in terms of his knowledge in theology and

philosophy, his ability at public speaking, and the fruitfulness of

his pastoral work, etc. In a sense, he exudes a certain sacred aura

that the people can easily perceive.

   

            We, priests, should try, of course, to master as much as

we can our theology and philosophy, our art of public speaking, our

effectiveness in our pastoral work. But we have to understand that

there is something more fundamental that is always needed. And that is

the very spirit of Christ which we ought to acquire, develop, deepen

and enrich.

            We should aim to make as our own what St. Paul once said:

“We have the mind of Christ,” (1 Cor 2,16) and “It is no longer I who

live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the

flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself

for me.” (Gal 2,20)

            Even in our moments of rest and recreation, this awareness

of our identification as ‘another Christ,’ head of the Church, should

never be lost. Rather it should always be nourished, protected,

defended and reinforced. Let’s remember that it is actually Christ who

would give us the proper rest. (cfr. Mt 11,28)

  

            In this way, we would be ready not only to show Christ but

rather to be ‘another Christ’ at any given moment, knowing how to take

care of the flock, the people of God, leading them to where they

should be. We would be ready to give the proper answers and solutions

to questions and problems at any given moment.

  

            This is no easy task, of course. But the means are always

there. Aside from the sacramental conformation to Christ in Holy

Orders, we priests need to pray and make sacrifices daily, celebrate

the Mass and avail of the sacrament of penance regularly, and study.

The priestly formation never ends. The priestly discipline should be

exercised constantly.

  

            When we would be truly identified with Christ, then giving

a homily would be no problem at all. Like the Boy Scouts, we would

always be prepared. In fact, we would be in our element when giving

the homily. We would not sound sophomoric, “trying hard,”

dilettantish, amateurish, etc. In fact, we would have the eloquence of

the Holy Spirit. And the people will get convinced they are not only

hearing Fr. so-and-so, but Christ himself.