Priests are obliged to sincerely LOVE and CARE for the faithful. It is actually for the sake of the faithful that they renounced marriage and begetting of biological children; in order to always give to them ๐ฏ ATTENTIONย (Cf. 1 Cor 7:31-32).
This love and care for the faithful find concrete expression in the regular celebration of the Sacraments for their spiritual well-being, as well as that of the priest. Thus, a priest who HARDLY makes the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist, Confession, Anointing of the Sick, etc.ย available to the faithful, is greatly failing in his very vocation and doing a lot of harm to the spiritual life of the faithful.
Indeed, MATERIALISM destroys the integrity of the priestly life and ministry. His vocation demands that he embraces a life of SIMPLICITY. Thus, if a priest thinks that he receives or has received too many material gifts from friends, instead of him to begin to live a luxurious/materialistic life, he should wisely channel such to the NEEDY; that is actually what brings meaning to his life as a priest (Cf. Can. 282, Lk 16:9).
The priest has the obligation of PRAYING for the people of God on daily basis. The Church has made this possible through the LITURGY of the HOURS and the celebration of the Sacraments. When a priest abandons these prayers, he does serious harm to himself, to his ministry and then denies the faithful โLIFE SUPPORT‘. Thus, St. John Mary Vianney affirms thus: โOne of the first things the devil always does is to make people STOP PRAYING.”
In ministering to the faithful, priests should not allow the worldly and professional love of MATERIAL GAINS/MONEY to determine their availability and commitment (Cf. 1 Pt 5:1-4). The priest should always bear in mind that the Priesthood is a vocation and not a Profession. Thus, he should make his own the words of St. Paul thus: โThe LOVE of Christ COMPELS us”ย (Cf. 2 Cor 5:14).
Experience has continuously affirmed that no priest who carries out his priestly ministry with sincerity and dedication ever lacks the BASIC needs. Though he may not always have surplus, but his sustenance is always guaranteed by the MASTER of the vineyard (Jesus Christ).
Priests have the obligation to say NO to WHOEVER or WHATEVER that takes away their attention from the ๐ฏ care and love for the faithful. Thus, they should avoid questionable INTIMACY with any human being and also use the worldly facilities of leisure with DETACHMENT.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, continue to support us with her powerful intercession. Amen๐๐ผ
Remain blessed๐๐ผ
