Through our priests, we live a supernatural life

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct. 30, 2011
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
Gospel: Matt. 23:1-12 “He who is greatest among you shall be your servant”

Full homily text: There was a video when I was in high school and college. Two boys had just played a game of baseball. They were talking about their mutual love of baseball. They spoke of their heroes and the many players they admired. The one boy spoke about big league stars and how he would like to be like them one day.  Then it was the other’s chance to talk, but he remained silent. Who did he admire? What did want to do when he grew up? The other child pushed him for an answer. Then all of a sudden he took off running. The other child followed him saying, “Wait up!” “Where are you going?” Finally, the journey stopped at an unlikely place; outside a church.

Is God calling you to become a Mercedarian friar? Take our “” survey and find out. Fr. Joseph Eddy is the vocation director of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, founded to redeem Christians whose faith is in danger.

Visit Fr. Joseph’s page, or the website of the .

The boy stopped, took off his baseball cap and walked up the steps and into the church. The other child followed, still filled with confusion. As the door open, the screen turned to a young priest who smiled as he saw the two young altar servers stopping for a visit.

How much has changed in fifteen years. This video, which made me cry when I saw it, was made by a diocese many years, and one big scandal ago. Today you would never see such a video, but for me it was normal. I grew up in a small town with one Catholic church and one old traditional Irish priest. My great aunt lived in a separate section of the rectory (typical in Irish parishes). She took care of the old priest; cooking, cleaning, and answering the phone. The rectory was like my second home. I would serve the 7 am weekday Mass then have breakfast with the old priest.

Twelve-year-old crying

He was quiet and very formal, but I knew he liked having breakfast with me and talking about the Yankees. I admired him. He had a temper and was not perfect, but I considered him my spiritual father. When I heard that he had a massive heart attack and died, I was out with my friend. Emotions filled me and I wept. A twelve-year-old crying in front of his best friend was embarrassing, but I really respected that Priest and what he stood for.

Yes, times have changed, but the priesthood is still here and will always be here. Even though the numbers are not what they use to be, the priesthood will never disappear, because it is a supernatural vocation. The priesthood goes back to the earliest centuries of Judaism. Priests were representatives of the people, called by God to offer sacrifice in the name of all the people. Sometimes these sacrifices were bread; other times, it was the offering of an animal offered up for the sins of the people.

Not always the best examples

As we see in the first reading from the Prophet Malachi, priests were human beings who oftentimes sinned against God. At that time they were not instructing the people in the true faith and they were biased in their decisions. Jesus also talks about these sorts of things in the Gospel. The religious leaders of his time were not the best examples. They were called to be servants, but instead served themselves and loved the attention of others.

But all of this does not change God’s plan. He sent Jesus to be the true High Priest who offered himself as “lamb of sacrifice” on the cross for the sins of all the people. He is the priest, the altar, and the lamb of sacrifice offered on the cross for all. On the night of the Last Supper, he instituted the new priesthood. These twelve disciples became the priests of the new covenant. They act in persona Christi capitis et sponsi (in the person of Christ head and spouse).

Indelible mark

The sacrament of Holy Orders places an indelible mark on the soul of the priest. This is why we say in the new translation “and with your spirit” instead of “and also with you.” We are recognizing the indelible mark on the priest. Jesus works through the priest especially when He administers the Sacraments. It is Christ the High Priest who baptizes, gives absolution, consecrates the host, anoints, and blesses the marriage. Jesus knew that we needed his presence with us always and so he remains with us in the priesthood. St John Vianney tells us that “the priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus Christ.” This only makes sense because the priest is called to offer the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ which showed the world what real love is.

We hear Jesus say that we should call no man our “teacher…master…or Father.” Many people take literally and question why we should call the priest “Father.” But we call our earthly father by this name and we do call many people our teacher. Jesus is telling us to spiritually look beyond the person to the supernatural that works through these people. God is to be worshiped above all. He is the High Priest who works through the priest. We are not to worship the priest or the president or any other person. However, the priest is ordained to stand in the place of the High Priest and thus be a true “spiritual father.” Sometimes we do this better than others. But no matter who is our priest we can trust that God will work through the ordination that they have received and give us the Sacraments we need to grow in holiness.

Through the priesthood

So in these times when heroes seem to be few, God still is faithful to his promises to his people. In Jesus, the High Priest, He has offered us the opportunity to receive the forgiveness of our sins and live the supernatural life. Jesus does this through his Priests, weak instruments, ordained to offer the one sacrifice of Christ on Calvary. From this Sacrifice we receive the strength to rise above our weaknesses and strive for holiness. Yes, times do change, but God does not go back on his promises. He has promised to “be with us until the end of time” and through the priesthood he is!