- Have a sense of personal boundaries and maintain them. You live in a vocation of self sacrifice, but even Jesus would go off by Himself on occasion, or tell people "no." If you don't set those boundaries, you will either burn out or you will end up in a situation that compromises your vows. Or both.
- Be faithful in little things. Keep up with the Divine Office and your prayer life. You've got a big, flashing, neon target on your back as a priest, and Satan will use any little chink he can to slither in and wreak havoc. The horror stories on the news all started off with little compromises.
Fantastic read Jocelyn. I very much agree with you, specially on conveying religious and spiritual principles to people that will then inform their political and social decisions.
It was all wonderful, but after the Mass I attended this past Sunday, #1 "Let the Mass be more holy than entertaining" really struck home. The guest priest this Sunday told jokes throughout the entire Mass, from the very beginning to the very end -- including the homily. His homily was just a string of jokes. Everyone was laughing and oh-so-gleeful. I was full of sorrow. The Mass is supposed to be sacred! It's so sacred we capitalize the "M" in Mass to show reverence. Yet the jokes made me feel like I was more at a terrible "comedy show" than a sacred and divine Wedding Feast. The very last joke, at the end of the Mass, was highly offensive to true Catholicism. It was so sad. So very, very sad. I weep for our Lord. These things need to change.
I'd add a couple...
- Have a sense of personal boundaries and maintain them. You live in a vocation of self sacrifice, but even Jesus would go off by Himself on occasion, or tell people "no." If you don't set those boundaries, you will either burn out or you will end up in a situation that compromises your vows. Or both.
- Be faithful in little things. Keep up with the Divine Office and your prayer life. You've got a big, flashing, neon target on your back as a priest, and Satan will use any little chink he can to slither in and wreak havoc. The horror stories on the news all started off with little compromises.
Fantastic read Jocelyn. I very much agree with you, specially on conveying religious and spiritual principles to people that will then inform their political and social decisions.
Thank you, Laura. I thought it would be better that way, to equip the people in making those decisions.
This is a great post!
It was all wonderful, but after the Mass I attended this past Sunday, #1 "Let the Mass be more holy than entertaining" really struck home. The guest priest this Sunday told jokes throughout the entire Mass, from the very beginning to the very end -- including the homily. His homily was just a string of jokes. Everyone was laughing and oh-so-gleeful. I was full of sorrow. The Mass is supposed to be sacred! It's so sacred we capitalize the "M" in Mass to show reverence. Yet the jokes made me feel like I was more at a terrible "comedy show" than a sacred and divine Wedding Feast. The very last joke, at the end of the Mass, was highly offensive to true Catholicism. It was so sad. So very, very sad. I weep for our Lord. These things need to change.
It's so sad to hear that, Jenny. Let us continue to pray for priests. We need God's help so much!
What an incredibly insightful post! I will forward this to some priests I know. God bless you!
Thank you, Shannara! God bless you.
Thank you for your valuable feedback, Savannah!