Year of the Priest August 16

Here is one of my favorite reflections on the priesthood. It is written by the famous theologian Karl Rahner. It really blends so beautifully the divine and human natures of the priesthood. The priest attempts to be an earthenware vessel of God’s grace and presence. Sometimes he is a fragile vessel in need of forgiveness and support; other times he is vessel that gets people on track with the grandeur of God.

“The priest is not an angel sent from heaven. He is a man chosen from among men, a member of the Church, a Christian. Remaining man and Christian, he begins to speak to you the Word of God. This word is not his own. No, he comes to you because God has told him to proclaim His Word. Perhaps he adulterates it. Perhaps he falters and stammers. Accept him as the
messenger of Christ. Let your hearts and minds swell with the grace of God so as to hear in his human words – in his fumbling, miserable, colorless and often repetitious words-- the holy, blessed and powerful Word that brings God Himself and His eternal life into our midst. Pray for him. Carry him so that he may sustain others by bringing to them the majesty of God’s love revealed in Christ Jesus.” Karl Rahner

Fr. Bob Hawkins