When I was studying to be a priest, my mother talked to a member of my extended family about my time in seminary.
At some point, this particular family member stated that it was a pity that I did not belong to another Christian denomination, because then I could get married.
Perhaps it goes without saying in this post-Christian age that priests are celibate.
But the question arises: if all religions were the same, and if I weighed the options to “live life to the fullest” as I wanted, then the Catholic clergy seem insensitive.
However, whether we like it or not, not all religions are the same. There are over 45,000 Christian denominations in the world today, each following Jesus Christ in a different way.
If I were to choose 1 of 45,000 Christian ways that would allow me to live “to the fullest” the way I selfishly wanted, I would be careless.
Or rather, I, a lifelong Catholic, asked: “Why does a priest lead an outwardly different way of life?”
To answer this question, we must know what a priest is.
Saint John Vianney quotes that the priesthood is “the love of the Heart of Jesus.” This personal definition reveals the objective nature of the priesthood. We, as priests, continue the saving mission that Jesus entrusted to His church 2,000 years ago.
Jesus created us, his sons and daughters, to love tangibly in and through our bodies. Thus, he incarnated. Jesus was not forced to become a man in order to save us; however, the incarnation of Jesus shows His desire to meet in person and physically.
When Jesus was with us on earth, he healed us, forgave our sins, and walked with us. The ascension of Jesus into heaven does not separate the rest of humanity from these personal aspects of the incarnation of Jesus; rather, the ascension of Jesus opens the continuation of his incarnation through the sacraments of the church.
Through baptism, the Eucharist, confession, etc., God tangibly continues his saving mission. Christ is no longer confined to one place, but is essentially present to those who are willing to receive Him.
The sacraments of the church are perpetuated through the personality of the priest. Holy Mass, confessions, baptisms, etc., are the services of the priest.
The beauty of God’s goodness is that our Lord Jesus was not just priests so that we would be “workers” of His ordinances, but true “servants” of Him.
As priests, we don’t just act like Jesus, but “put on Christ” (Rom. 13:14). Priests continue Jesus’ own priesthood. We imitate Christ in ways that not everyone is called to.
This is where celibacy makes sense, for Christ teaches that some refuse marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 19:12). Jesus observed chastity during his earthly pilgrimage, and we as Catholic priests follow his example.
Naturally, we fail in our desire to imitate Christ, yet we constantly desire to live a radically holy life so that our flock can know Jesus not only in what we do, but also “in our person.”
We priests do not deserve to participate in the priesthood of Christ. I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m living a life I don’t deserve.
Travis Grimler/Echo Journal
In fact, this would be the case whether I was a Catholic priest or not. We as Christians are living lives we don’t deserve. We are called to a heavenly home that we do not deserve.
What a life it is to be a Christian; what a life it is to be a priest.
Father Matthew Miller is a sacramental minister of Our Lady of the Lakes parish churches, including St. Christopher in Nisswe, St. Alice in Pequot Lakes, and Our Lady of Lourdes in Pine River.