08/02/2009
(1Tim 4:6-16) (Luke 12:42-48)
1-The Faithful Servant:
A faithful priest is the one who teaches and guides the faithful with patience, goodness, wisdom and with a good example.
- According to St Luke, a faithful servant is the one who gives the food in the right time.
-This is the duty of a priest: to be the servant of the Word and of the Sacraments.
In order to be a good and wise servant, the priest:
- has to stay away of the trivial teachings, dedicating himself to the teaching of the apostles and of the Church.
- He should not abuse God’s confidence in him nor use his priesthood for his own interests.
2- The gift of prophecy and of the priesthood:
Priesthood is God’s choice, manifested through the Church, which is confirmed, just like in Timothy’s ordination and the laying of hands.
This gift of calling and of Ordination is subject to the self-attention and self-conscience; Hence the danger of transforming a priest from a servant to an employee.
-St Paul calls Timothy to remain attentive and faithful to the Church, firm in his faith, feeding with the Word of God and aiming for perfection and holiness.
3- A promise of eternal life:
- A faithful servant who serves his community faithfully merits the promise of eternal life.
- St. Paul reminds Timothy to line up his spirit to the Good, having a good moral conduct through the Spirit of Jesus Christ. In this way, he merits life in this world and the world to come.
- The daily occupation of a priest is to line up his Spirit to the good.
- To believe in the Word and in the Sacraments, which he administers, promising the faithful an eternal life.
How can we live the Word of God today?
As Christians do we try always to follow the teaching of the teachers of faith?
Do we look to feed our daily life through the Word of God and through the Sacraments, which are the wells of graces for our earthly life and our future one with God?
We pray Father for our priests who have ended this life to be given the reward for their services, despite their human weakness.
Give us Lord new vocation, and faithful servants who serve faithfully and wisely your children to edify Your earthly and Heavenly Church. Amen
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