(Almost) Empty House

The Pre-Theologians of the Saint Paul Seminary continue to hold down the fort while the rest of the house is away on retreat. Most of us started classes today, since we take some classes from the UST schedule. Interestingly, all liturgical and other duties around the Seminary have fallen to us for these few days. As I await the return of my elder and more eloquent brethren, here is another "theological reflection" from my Parish Placement experience:

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This week I have been especially attuned to the demanding schedule of the priests. I have found myself tired by the end of the day, even after simply observing part of what the priests do and not myself actively ministering. In the last year or so I have read several books which accurately described this aspect of the priesthood, but only this week have I observed it prima facie. I saw the real breadth of “business” responsibility the priest has in a parish and at the same time the many personal encounters that only the priest can offer. It seems like a particularly busy week could really take its toll and leave little if any time for recuperation or rest. To exemplify what I am talking about here, I mention in particular two things: Father telling me about all of his phone calls and emails piling up – those people needing individual attention amidst all the other things: Masses, meetings, talks, visits, etc. Also, I happened to be around in the office to hear a phone call come in from a nearby parish seeking a priest to say an early weekday Mass. Father ended up agreeing to go, despite it being on his day off, because the parish was “desperate”.

MY RESPONSE

Even as people have jokingly remarked to me that this is how I might get “scared off”, observing these events has given me pause. As much as anyone, I prefer comfort, stability, and predictability in my everyday life. I might even say I feel I have a “right” to these things. It is alarming to think that one day I might have to stretch myself incredibly thin because there is no one else who can do the things a priest does, even though there are many lay people who can help out a great deal (this I have also seen). I wonder if I will be able to remember, during the difficult times, that the priesthood is so important and that the grace that comes with it will keep me going. How is this grace actually known? Am I right in perceiving that there is that extra “something” that comes with the grace of ordination by which God can keep us going when we are overwhelmed? In other words, would that grace enable me or help me to respond to fifty emails and phone calls? Would it be enough to make me willing to sacrifice part of my day off to say Mass?

PASTORAL ANALYSIS

The first lesson that I have learned from these observations is that everything I have seen the priests do is important, but most important must be the uniquely “priestly” things: the sacraments, spiritual assistance, and being the leader at meetings. There is a definite character that the priest must maintain. It has been very affirming to see that the priests manage very well, even when it means sacrificing their own comforts or plans. It is good to see that they don’t get discouraged, whereas I would probably be complaining a lot if I were too suddenly thrown into that sort of responsibility. It cannot be coincidental that as I was observing these things this week, these words from Sirach appeared in the Office of Readings: “Stand by your covenant and attend to it, and grow old in your work. Do not wonder at the works of a sinner, but trust in the Lord and keep at your toil…” Not that the priesthood is all toil and drudgery, but some of it is and I have seen that. There is also joy and beauty, and I have seen more of that.