Catholic Priesthood is a holy Sanctuary. Catholic priesthood brings the Eucharistic presence to our lives. Catholic priests' presence is Eucharistic presence and their life is Eucharistic sanctuary. Sanctuary is a place where sinners take refuge; suffering souls take rest; wounded hearts finds healing; troubled souls finds reconciliation: As catholic priesthood brings Eucharist and reconciliation which is the sanctuary of souls, catholic priesthood is a sacramental sanctuary.
Many of us might have watched a popular TV series named MASH. In MASH, there is role known as Fr. Mokeghe, who portrays the role of catholic priesthood.In that role, the TV serial director has portrayed a glimpse of the glory of Catholic priesthood. In that serial, there is a scene, which has a soldier entering into the Church, which is a make shift tent, approaching Rev. Fr. seeking sanctuary. When the authorities come in searching to punish the soldier, Rev. Fr. explains, how he can not be subjected to punishment, when the soldier in his care, which is the sanctuary of God. He defends and advocates for the soldier and protects him from the authorities. I was highly moved by that Rev. Fr. role in protecting his faithful children.
Likewise, I have seen a priest, during my childhood, protecting his faithful, in our small coastal village Periyasampuram. There was a priest in our village, who maintained very good relationship with state and government, and he used his relationship to serve his children in his parish. All the government officials would consult him before they could step in action within the village. There was an informal rule established by this priest that all the families in his parish are in his sanctuary, so the law would approach him when in need, not directly his children. He protected the village like a responsible father would. He brought many welfare into the village, he changed all the huts into titled houses, he brought small scale industries to the village. He conducted summer health camp in the village and distributed free medicine. He gave every family with pair of goats, which they tended and had income out of it. He established the first salt factory of our village, which has now become a great salt factory of the entire region. He established the first bus transport to our remote village. He was a singer and highly sacramental in his celebration of sacraments After the morning mass, he did not just wait inside his comfortable house, but he went to the fields salt factory, and palm tree huts to work among the people. After the hard work throughout the day, he celebrated evening prayers and vespers People followed him and he lived among the people, a hard working people priest. I saw him being respected loved by people and even by all government officials. I also saw some people did really offended him and criticized all the activities he undertook. But I saw Rev. Father, really portrayed the concept of sacramental sanctuary through his ministry. He reflected the sanctuary of Holy Priesthood.
Do we know, that these holy men, whom we call as priests, rather give their lives before betraying us or letting someone hurt us in front of them. They would not hesitate to give their life in exchange our life, if situation demands. Such is the majesty of their call, which brings protection to the humanity, which serves as a sanctuary. This holy notion was reflected by the Catholic priest who was one among the three chaplain, who preferred to save people life than escape from the boat. Another such example is St. Maximilian who decided to die in the place of a family man. Thousands and thousands of them have laid their life as a sacrifice to protect their faith children, serving as a holy Sanctuary. Yet, how easily we betray them to the world? How quickly we become critical of them? I wonder how many priests, to whom the world or we pay criticism, who are really innocent but bearing the blame on them and subject themselves to the law and other treatments of the world in the protection of the virtue of serving sacramental sanctuary.
Let us appreciate the living sanctuary of God in the Holy priesthood. Let them know that we appreciate their services. Their sacrifices for us are eternal and planned by God. Heavenly Father, we thank you for your sanctuary in the lives of our priests.
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