Thank God For Our Priests!

This year in the Catholic Church is "The Year for Priests." I've spent a lot of time thinking about the priesthood over the years. Our priests are, for the most part, wonderful men of God who are trying to lead others closer to Christ. And they don't get enough credit. Take a moment and think about the priests that are in your life--both past and present. I know, for myself, I have oftentimes been critical of the priests that I have come across in my life. I have not given them enough credit. I have criticized them for the way they say the Mass. I have criticized them for having too much of a focus on money--and not enough of a focus on faith. I do not give them the benefit of the doubt.

Our priests work hard. They have a lot on their plates. They are charged with "running the business" of the parish in addition to feeding the spiritual needs of their flock. This is not an easy task. Their jobs are often 24/7. They sacrifice an awful lot and get very little in turn. All we do is ask them for more and criticize them for what they are doing.

My perspective on the priesthood has changed over the years. Working in a parish full time has helped to change my perspective. The priests I work with in my parishes truly are wonderful men. We need to thank the priests in our lives. They sacrifice much more than their vows call for. They deserve our love. They deserve our respect. They deserve our gratitude--regardless of how you feel they run the parish or say the Mass. Do you think you could do all they do and hold it together as well as they do? I don't think I could.

They deserve our prayers.

Prayer for Priests taken from the USCCB.
Dear Lord,
we pray that the Blessed Mother
wrap her mantle around your priests
and through her intercession
strengthen them for their ministry.
We pray that Mary will guide your priests
to follow her own words,
“Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5).
May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph,
Mary’s most chaste spouse.
May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart
inspire them to embrace
all who suffer at the foot of the cross.
May your priests be holy,
filled with the fire of your love
seeking nothing but your greater glory
and the salvation of souls.
Amen.
Saint John Vianney, pray for us.