Celebrate Priesthood: Catholic Priesthood partakes in the call of Immaculate Heart of Mary's sacrmental life Call

Priesthood in general is a venerated call of life. Priesthood is a sacramental life of bearing

 Gospel to the world of all times. Priesthood is a divine gift to the world and faithful communities.

Especially, Catholic priesthood is unique and it has divine characteristics and call endowed life

for those who receive the call of Catholic priesthood. Catholic priesthood participates in the call of

Immaculate Heart of Mary, as she conceived Jesus and gave the Messiah to the world, and she became

a role model of sacramental life of priesthood. Like Blessed virgin Mary, Catholic priesthood carries the

word of God to the world, not just by teaching but also by their sacramental life. They partake in the

call of Immaculate Heart of Mary, by their very life of call, and they lay their human flesh at the altar

 as a divine ransom for the continuing mission of salvation of human, souls, and world in their time.

They partake in Virgin Mary's call of life by carrying Gospel to the world by their words, actions, and their life. So I call their life as sacramental call of life. Their presence in their parish postings among the faithful families they bring hope and the presence of Mother Church among the people. Their teaching among the faithful echoes the tradition, magisterium, scripture, and Eucharist to the families, community, world, and to the universe. Their actions in the celebration of Eucharist bring the nourishment and protection to the faithful families. Their administration of Sacraments brings healing, hope, joy, and reconciliation to the souls in their destination. Their decisions and leadership brings the relationship, fellowship, and faith among the people. Being a Catholic Priest is a 24/7 call, where he is dedicated for his people service in the Name of the Lord and Mother Church. They are humble stewards in the faith vineyard of Christ and their services are at the front line of faith. They are the frontiers and the front line ministers of the Church. They are the face of the church. The people perceive the presence of church and her teachings through these front line spiritual warriors. They realize their call by responding to the divine responsibilities by applying their individual charisma and skills. Thus each one reflects the cooperation of their unique gifts in collaboration with the Holy Spirit. So they reflect the gifts and fruits of Holy Spirit. As a result, we can see unique virtues reflect on each one of them so vivid and essential for their faithful’s need. While all of them receive similar call, but by the interaction of their life becomes a unique light to the community they serve. In this way each priest brings unique blessing to the world. The end result is the fruit of Holy Spirit. Their gifts are many and fruits are many. There are millions of gifts and fruits at display in the life of the Holy Priesthood. Scripture, Eucharist, Sacraments, tradition, magisterium, are portrayed in their ministry of preaching, teaching, guiding, and healing among the communities they serve.

Let us celebrate Holy Priesthood and appreciate the call of Catholic Priest life. Let us appreciate each priest we are blessed with and let them know that they are appreciated. They come in the Holy Name of God among us. If we appreciate them, we are appreciating God’s presence among us. Let us thank our Parish priests and all the priests we see. Their call is not to please everyone of our wish list but to serve God through the teachings of Mother Church in guiding her children. Their presence reflects God's love and mercy for us. Their voice reflects God's voice in our time. They love us both times, when we think that they listen to us and even in the times, when we feel that they don't  listen to us, because they listen to God in both ways in appreciation and admonishments. They reflect a father figure, who would portray warm side of love and the hard side of the love. Let us not entertain the grumblers and complainers, who apply negative attitude to all the blessings. Let not our hearts yield to such news or media or conversations that diminishes the sanctity of holy Priesthood.  Let us pray for all the priests, who are striving to follow Jesus in their life. Their call is their life long accomplishment. Their ministry is work in progress and work of the Holy Spirit, while they live in this world, like each one of our life. Let us not look for perfection in their life. Let us pray and hide all the priests in the sanctity of Immaculate Heart of Mary, so that they will be protected from enemy's tactics.

 St. Francis of Assisi  humbled himself saying he was not worthy for the sacred call of Catholic Priesthood. He venerated and placed Catholic priesthood as a gift above the Holy Angels. He said that if he faces a Catholic priest and a Holy Angel on his way, he would bow before the Catholic Priest and venerate him before he could acknowledge the Holy Angels. This imply the sacredness and holiness of Catholic priesthood. Let us pray for our priests and be thankful for the gift of them in our life. Let us thank God for the gift of priesthood and pray for this rare gift of Holy Spirit.