It’s a question I am asked with some frequency: why did you want to become a priest? There is something innately curious about such a life choice, especially in these times! To be one set apart, to give up marriage for the sake of heaven, to have a schedule that is somewhat chaotic. Thus the question is often asked: why would you become a priest? Further, there are so many things that happen within the Church itself that would seem to fly in the face of wanting to choose such a vocation! There have been scandals that have rocked the Church persistently for quite some time, even from some of the greatest members of the hierarchy. There are priests who have caused scandal. Bishops have abused their authority. Even cardinals and popes have seemed to veer off the path that is straight and narrow! How in the world could one choose to entertain a call to the priesthood, especially in these days? When the Church seems so brutally wounded time and time again- is there any reason to really chose such a path?
We have all heard that simple phrase “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” The Bible actually is an excellent proof of this matter, time and time again. From the earliest moments of God’s interaction with the human race, we see that play out, especially in regards to times of error, scandal, and even times when the people of God, and even those charged with the spiritual care of the people drift far from the Lord Himself.
The first reading that was selected for us for this weekend is vivid proof of such a concept. The prophet Malachai found his work and calling in the time after the Babylonian exile. This means that the people have come back to their homeland and heritage and have rebuilt their temple, as the center of worship. So we would expect that this is a time of great fidelity. However, the time of exile has left them in a state where they aren’t as zealous as they used to be, because they have been so corrupted by the ways of the world. Malachi is speaking the words of the Lord to the priests: if you do not listen, if you do not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, says the Lord of hosts, I will send a curse upon you, and of your blessing I will make a curse. The Lord apparently has very high expectations of His minsters, and they have not been living up to that calling. They have become so depraved that even the ways that the Lord expects them to be a blessing and a leader for the people- they are not living up to that expectation.
Rather, they have become a source of sorrow for the people- and such a sorrow that even their blessings seem as good as a curse. The Lord continues on: you have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to falter by your instruction; you have made void the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts.” Therefore, they are now contemptible, and base before the people. They are not living up to the way they have been called to. Notice, though, at the very end, the tone shifts, and the people too are chastised. They are asked “why do we break faith with one another, violating the covenant of our fathers?” Thus, even in a time of remarkable restoration, there is still an unfortunate reality: the people have let the ways of the world get the better of them.
The second reading continues the readings that have been coming from Saint Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. This reading is focusing on the way that Paul and the other disciples presented themselves to the now-faithful: they were gentle among them, they had affection, they were determined to share the Gospel, and also their very selves. They were very dear to the hearts of the disciples, and therefore, they treated them as children who have the attention of their parents. Further, as any good parent does, they committed themselves to an immense amount of work in their midst, working night and day to make their way to faith easier, and thus, they proclaimed the Gospel of God selflessly. This gives us a key insight into Paul’s ministry: it was never about Him. He worked with such great zeal and compassion because the word was not His own, but was given to Him by God. Thus he was selfless in all that he did, and continued to minister to them with all of the disciples in their other-focused demeanor. We see the end results: the Thessalonians are converted, and passionately converted towards the Lord their God. The way that Paul and the disciples preached had effect, and a tremendous one at that!
Finally, we arrive at the Gospel, and Jesus is continuing to double down His pressure on the scribes and the pharisees. He speaks that they “have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Do what they tell you but do not follow their example.” He goes on to elaborate about the heavy burdens they give to the faithful, but that they do not help them. Their works are performed to be seen. They love places of honor, and greeting them with titles that are high and lofty. However, Jesus counters with something of a simple thought in the midst of their arrogance and corruption. He does not want them to live by their titles, by their appearance, by their lofty demeanor, but rather He gives this simple instruction: “the greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Thus, even in Jesus’s time, some time after the Babylonian exile, there is still profound corruption in the religious leadership!
This begs a simple question: should we ever give up hope? Are we to be a people who see the constant corruption present in the people of God, and now even in the Church at times, and to simply throw in the towel? Are those who constantly criticize the Church as a worthless bunch of hypocrites? Are they right when it seems like the leadership is incompetent, or even perhaps scandalous? What is a person to do?
I want to return to an earlier question: what did motivate me to entertain the priesthood? I can tell you immediately that it wasn’t the scandals. It wasn’t the disappointments. It wasn’t the way that the body of the faithful seems to get smaller over time. What did motivate me? The good priests! Pope John Paul II. Benedict XVI. Monsignor William Stanton. Bishop Johnston. So many others that have gone before us, or are even still doing good work, even in the midst of so much evil, and so many discouraging reports. Those men inspired me to pursue a God given call!
Now, that goes into what we should consider for today, and what these readings mean for us in our contemporary situation. First, we need to realize, just because there may seem to be evil or lawless people in the Church, or even in positions of prestige or importance in the Church, that should never allow us to think for one moment that God has abandoned His Church! Look around- we can find signs of life, even as we behold all of the elements that cause us to grieve as well. Nonetheless, God is there, and He is working to move those who make us sorrowful to a place of conversion, and in the meantime is supporting us as well. Second, know how much deacons, priests, bishops, and the pope, need your prayers. We are feeble and frail people just like anyone else. It can be easy to become weak, or even to listen to the siren song of the world. It could be tempting to be like the scribes and the Pharisees and want after places of exaltation, and of prestige. However, we have a very important (and humble) job to do! It is because of this that the devil is constantly at work trying to get those in ministry to veer off on one side or the other. We need immense amounts of prayer and support. There is important work that needs to be carried out and it is not easy. Many times it can be discouraging. There are more complaints than compliments. For every person that joins, it seems six leave, at least statistically speaking. When we preach, it is tempting to think few listen and are changed for the better. People don’t show up! There is a lot to be done, and not enough hours in the day. Pray for your clergy- that they constantly be converted, and do not despair in their work! I especially implore you to pray for me as I care for each of you! Further, in this week that we celebrate awareness for vocations: pray for more young men and women to have the courage to take a leap of faith! We need more faithful ministers, especially to help heal a Church that is so often suffering! We need strong and courageous young men and women to answer God’s call! It is not easy to answer in this day, but that “yes” of a vocation is so desperately needed!
Finally, let us each remember that we are all a part of the Church, and are a part of the common priesthood. We each have a message to say, by the way we live our lives. Each of us have a group that we are sent to minister to. Each of us need to be like Saint Paul in a world of darkness- going out and preaching by the way that we live according to the Gospel each and every day, and the way we preach a gentle message. Sure, we may not always get it right. Sometimes God may be calling us out a bit. Nonetheless, there is still that need that we commit ourselves to the work that is given to us, and that we do not despair nor become despondent in the face of so many things trying to tear the Church down: we need God’s grace given to us in the Church, especially in a world that is so topsy-turvy, and is constantly angry at the Church because she will not bend nor sway to support things that are destructive to us and to living life well.
Why would one want to be a priest? Why would someone choose to be Catholic in these days? Because God is still here amongst us, and is calling us each by name. The Church is still here and is still doing some great things, even in the midst of so many challenges.
And perhaps that is the reason I followed my own calling. I’ve seen a world in so much brokenness, so much despair, and in so much need of careful, tender, and selfless love that can only be found in God, and through the Church and her sacraments. Priests work hard to bring that love, that healing, and that hope to a world in so much need of it. That is why I chose to be a priest.
Now, each of us have a place in that healing, that hope, and that love. God had called us each uniquely! The question is: as God is calling, are you going to be faithful? How are you going to answer?
