Why We Call Them Fathers
Thoughts for Good Shepherd Sunday
“In this world of moral ambiguities and the disintegration of family life, the notion of fatherhood has been trampled underfoot and left to languish. Never has the world experienced so much the scattering of sheep, each going his own aimless way for lack of solid fathers to lead and teach and guide them. Lost and on their own. Priests have the beautiful opportunity in this time we live in, to define fatherhood for us once again and to show us how it is lived out. It is a wild paradox that each of them has made a vow of celibacy, the sacrifice of a wife and physical children in order to become this different sort of father. But somehow the mystery of this self denial, this acceptance, has filled them with the strength of fatherly qualities to be imitated by other young men, even those planning to marry. These qualities are there. I have seen them.”
I shared this article with some friends because of your comment: " the people, one and all, are encouraged to walk along with the priest and candle bearers". This is a beautiful new tradition that I hope others will consider when they pray the Stations next Lent
I am a late in life convert and have been blessed to have encountered some wonderful priests. Kevin Wells’ book The Priests We Need to Save the Church describes the keys to a priest who is a shepherd not a hired hand. Prayer, devotion to Blessed Mother (every man needs a beauty in his life to love and protect) and focus on the wellbeing of his flock are all essential.
When I get discouraged by the Palace Intrigue and confusion from the Vatican. I place my faith in Christ and those priests who are shepherds. We can not repay them for their care for our souls.