Revolution of Love.com
Our Parish Heroes
by Brian
Today was the one-year anniversary of September 11th. As the horrors of the day have once again been the focus of all the news, we as a nation have been grasping to find some hope amidst the rubble. The birth of my daughter a few weeks after the event has renewed my sense of hope after a time of profound sorrow for our nation.
Likewise, our country has found hope in a new breed of heroes - men and women who have put aside their own personal regard in order to serve the needs of others. Some acts have been as simple as offering water to thirsty rescue workers or as heroic as laying down one's life to save another. I was especially touched when I saw on TV or read in the paper the heroism of priests - some who died ministering the Sacraments at Ground Zero and some who worked relentlessly to offer much needed spiritual healing in the months following.
These images made me think about all the bad press priests have received this year. Although there are those who are guilty of horrendous crimes and cover-ups, there are far, far more priests who have given their lives unselfishly to the service of the Church. My heart goes out to them for I am sure that they, at least in some degree, have felt shame for their brothers' sins. It is only natural that when one member of a family commits a horrible act, the entire family feels the repercussions of that act. So it must be with our priests.
I also began to consider how much we take our priests for granted. They are "on duty" 24/7 serving God and his people. They have taken the Church as their only Bride in order to wholeheartedly devote their time and energy in ministering to her needs. In doing so they have dedicated their life to serving you and I. How do we repay them for that service? Have we prayed for them that they may persevere in their vocation and grow in holiness? Have we opened our hearts and homes to them to make them feel welcome and a part in our lives?
I know some will say, "Well, you don't know Fr. So-and-So. He has such a difficult personality!" or "That's fine but Fr. Such-and-Such is a rebel who doesn't follow Church teaching. I can't open my home to him." Situations like these are difficult but gossip and ill will are inexcusable. If we do not get along or disagree with a priest, we should be praying for him all the more. Likewise, we should be praying for ourselves that we might know how to handle the situation properly while still respecting the priest.
More importantly, I want to say thank you to all the priests who have touched my life - whether it is the far-away priest I read about in the paper, the priest who baptized our baby, or the priest who gave me spiritual direction. You are an integral part of my spiritual growth as I strive to live my life as a faithful Catholic. For all the times I took you for granted, let me now say thank you with all my heart.