Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all. ”For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.” So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
REFLECTION
I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
Several years ago PAPA interviewed priests and posted their interviews on the website. One of the questions asked and always answered with a smile, was "Why did you become a priest?" On this Holy Thursday, the institution of the priesthood, we can hear many different answers.
We learn by seeing. We have seen many priests, and know their temperament, penances at confession, their preferences, likes and dislikes for music. We can either disagree with them, report them to the Bishop, gossip, malign, or take away our talents from the parish. The list goes on and on. I don't know if there is a Yelp app for churches, but restaurants, doctors, lawyers and businesses with even one bad review can see the damages done.
The priest in persona Christi capitis ecclesiae--in the person of Christ, the Head, in the church reflects Jesus 24/7. He is a witness not so much in what he says but what he does, how he lives, helps others, gives of himself, thinks of others first, available to all ( no matter the time) especially the sick and sinners, daily offers the Sacrifice of the Mass and intercessory prayer for others.
Some priests are weak. Yet, some are close to God, bringing as many souls to heaven's gates. Priests should set our hearts on fire, bring us back to the God of love, happiness and joy. All he does for God is from a deep Spirit of faith, making all the seven sacraments available. He reminds us of repentance to gain access to heaven.
We are most fortunate to have been called to pray for priests. As we ask them for prayers, they, too, need our prayers and intercession on their behalf. Working silently only for the Glory of God, he is not a perfect priest but one who serves God every day as perfectly as he can, leaving the rest to God. Please pray for them.
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