tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post113064026463444571..comments2024-03-25T06:39:42.081-04:00Comments on Bonfire of the Vanities: It's frightening & wonderful to be a priest (Sunday homily)Fr Martin Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1130802153116147102005-10-31T18:42:00.000-05:002005-10-31T18:42:00.000-05:00I don't know, I think it's important that priests ...I don't know, I think it's important that priests maintain the title of Father. I definitely would not feel comfortable calling up the parish office and asking if I could speak with Joe Smith about spiritual direction or when he was available to hear confessions. To be honest, it would probably weird me out if a priest didn't want to be referred to as 'father'. Kind of in the same way that I find it odd when some parents insist that their kids call them by their first name rather than mom or dad (or mommy or daddy...or whatever title is appropriate for their culture). Let us not forget the role of spiritual fathers.DPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195133313571297243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1130796217825155172005-10-31T17:03:00.000-05:002005-10-31T17:03:00.000-05:00Well said, Martin, but one technical comment. St....Well said, Martin, but one technical comment. St. Paul does refer to Abraham as "father of all of us" (Rom 4:16), and himself as "your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (1 Cor 4:15). Nevertheless, I'm sure St. Paul followed our Lord in emptying himself of titles. And, regarding his own "titles" recall that Jesus said, "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." (John 13:13-15)<BR/><BR/>The question all of us priests must continually ask ourselves in any given situation is this, "Does the use of this title 'Father' help or get in the way of my ministry here and now?" If it helps, then use it. Don't back away from it out of false humility. If it gets in the way, then drop it. Our job is not to glorify ourselves, but to glorify our Father in heaven.<BR/><BR/>Certainly, don't insist on it.Fr. Larry Gearharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06187388268532224727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1130782582833004292005-10-31T13:16:00.000-05:002005-10-31T13:16:00.000-05:00Thank you for such a beautiful homily father. It...Thank you for such a beautiful homily father. It is priest like you that renew my faith in Christ and his bride and fill me with a desire to pray for those priests who are not like you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1130720353470783362005-10-30T19:59:00.000-05:002005-10-30T19:59:00.000-05:00anon:I understand your point, but I would say, gen...anon:<BR/><BR/>I understand your point, but I would say, gently, that even in the case of the priest you mention -- and any priest you can think of -- the fact remains that there is something different about a priest. Whether that "being different" ends up being better or worse depends on his response to grace. <BR/><BR/>Whatever you may think of that priest, or any priest, pray for them, assist them any way you can, out of charity and <I>ad maioram gloriam Deum.</I>Fr Martin Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1130719382305404152005-10-30T19:43:00.000-05:002005-10-30T19:43:00.000-05:00So many priests today seem to want to downplay the...So many priests today seem to want to downplay the fact that at the Sacrifice of the Mass and in the confessional Christ acts through them.<BR/><BR/>A priest, who takes pride in not wearing clerical attire, told me recently 'I am no different to any other person'. You know, regarding that priest, I think he is correct unfortunately.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1130653557428380402005-10-30T01:25:00.000-05:002005-10-30T01:25:00.000-05:00It's amazing what God can do through the ministry ...It's amazing what God can do through the ministry of his priests, especially as they serve in Persona Christi. <BR/><BR/>I am so grateful that God humbles himself to come to us through these men. I thank God that there are priests who are eager to see His people transformed in Him through the sacraments and living life in Christ. <BR/><BR/>Just last week we had a youth ministry event in our archdiocese focusing on the sacrament of reconciliation. Thirty-six priests showed up to hear confessions. What a blessing that was for both the youth and the priests.<BR/><BR/>Reading your homily made me think of a verse one of my theology profs at university often reminds us of. He frequently points out that "to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required." (In fact, I think this was in the gospel at a weekday mass sometime recently). Anyways, while my theology prof uses this verse to remind us of the increasing responsibility we have as we grow in knowledge and understanding of the Faith, this often reminds me of the priesthood. It seems to speak of the wonderful (much has been given) and of the frightening (much is expected) of the priesthood.<BR/><BR/>Anyways, perhaps I'm not making sense since I'm tired and it's late. The long and short of it is that I am praying for you and your brother priests on a daily basis, as well as for all young men in seminaries, and for all young people discerning their vocation in life.DPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195133313571297243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1130653419221830222005-10-30T01:23:00.000-05:002005-10-30T01:23:00.000-05:00And the full quotation of St. John Chrysostom, to ...And the full quotation of St. John Chrysostom, to which you partially allude, is:<BR/><BR/>"The road to hell is paved with the skulls of erring priests, and is lit with the skulls of erring bishops."<BR/><BR/>To paraphrase the motto of Fox News Channel: "The saints and prophets report; God decides.'Bernard Brandthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00159541603126407072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1130652299345156672005-10-30T01:04:00.000-05:002005-10-30T01:04:00.000-05:00As I recall from reading a translation of ha-Aggid...As I recall from reading a translation of ha-Aggidah (the books of the traditions of the Jews), it was once asked and answered by a learned rabbi:<BR/><BR/>Why is Abraham called "father" (<I>Abri</I>, and "the father of the people" (<I>Abriha'am</I>, because he was in fact the father of only two children (Isaac and Ismael), and was the legitimate father of only one (Isaac)?<BR/><BR/>And the answer which the Rabbis gave was: because it is truly said, that he who brings another into the presence of the living God, it is as though he is truly the father of that one. <BR/><BR/>That is why you are called "father", sir. Through the mystery of the laying on of hands at your ordination, and through the great mystery of your participation in the changing of bread and wine into the flesh and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, you bring many into the presence of the living God.Bernard Brandthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00159541603126407072noreply@blogger.com