The Priesthood is the Love of the Heart of Jesus

Pope Benedict as a young priest. Picture from bbc.co.uk

In many dioceses, June the month for ordinations. How beautiful and appropriate this is! The month of the Sacred Heart and the month with the Feast of Corpus Christi (with the month of the Precious Blood following). In light of all of the ordinations and anniversaries of ordinations, it is also a good time for all of us (priest, religious, and laity) to reflect on the supremely loving gift that is the priesthood. Consider how God Almighty decided to allow mere men to share so intimately in His life and love. The priest has an indelible conformity to Christ and is the instrument through which God's people are healed and nourished with the Body and Blood of our Lord. Consider further how closely God works in the priest for these Sacraments. As St. John Marie Vianney said, the priest does not say, "God forgives you." He says, "I absolve you from your sins." Similarly, he does not say "This is Jesus' Body" at Mass, but, "This is My Body". That God would design the priesthood in such a way is so amazing that the priest himself will not fully understand until eternity (if even then).

Let us pray for all of our priests, for a continual growth in faith and love, and for perseverance in their holy vocation.

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