As we travel to the month of January, I have chosen to reflect on the topic of the priesthood using what I have learned from my class in Spiritual Direction where a part of the class was focused on what theologians call the Five Priestly Identities. Once again, I wish to stress that I feel that all vocations are equal in the eyes of God but all are different in some way. I also feel that my reflecting on these identities will not only give you a better appreciation of the priesthood but also an insight into your vocation as well.

3. Spiritual Father - “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:9)
In ancient Rome at the time of Jesus, people practiced what we would call infanticide today. Once a woman gave birth to a child, the child would be brought to his father. The father would then look over the baby and decide whether or not he wanted the baby. If he chose that he did then the baby became an official member of the family. If the father decided not to accept the child the child would be left to die exposed to the elements. While this was a horrible social custom I think it shows us an important part of fatherhood and that is that fatherhood is a choice. I believe mothers because they have carried the child for nine-months form a bound but a man on the other hand has to choose to be a father. He has to choose to care. Being a spiritual father for me has everything to do with choosing to care for people as if they were my own children for I believe the Father could have created the world and let it go without carrying about any of us but instead He chose to love us so much that He sent His Son to die for us.

5 Things you can do to support priests discover their identity as Spiritual Father
1. Let your parish priest know that his presence means something to you?
2. Cut your parish priest some slack because he knows as much about being a father as a parent knows about being a parent. There is no guide book just a lot of advice that sometimes contradicts itself.
3. Understand that your parish priest may have to make a decision that you disagree with but He is trying to do what He thinks is best for the parish.
4. Pray that your parish priest may always grow in his identity as spiritual father.
5. Invite your parish priest to school plays, ball games, etc. It will mean a lot to him to know that you want him to be a part of your life outside of Mass.

4. Spiritual Physician “When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.” (Mark 1:32-34)
One of the most humbling and uplifting things that I get to do as a priest is celebrate the Sacraments of Healing (Anointing of the Sick and Reconciliation). St. Ignatius in rule #9 of his Spiritual Exercises talks about one way in which to stop the devil is to bring his temptations to the light. We see this work in AA when a person talks to his or her sponsor about his or her need for a drink. As a priest, I provide not only a safe place for people to talk about their temptations and failings but through the power of God I am able to absolve those sins. We all know that Jesus came to bring salvation but the Greek word for salvation may be better translated as “right relationship” and through the power of Holy Spirit, I am able to put people back in the right relationship with God and give them advice on how to heal other broken relationships in their life. Through the anointing of the sick, I am able to give people strength and hope by reminding them in a real and powerful way that they are loved by God even in their sickness. I think the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is very similar to receiving a kiss from God.

5 Things you can do to support priests discover their identity as Spiritual Physicians
1. Pray for your parish priest that he may embrace his dignity as Spiritual Physician
2. Let the priest know that you are sick or going to the hospital. Don’t expect father to read your mind or find out your sick through the parish gossip meal.
3. Don’t expect your priests to have quick answers to your problems but allow him to walk with you in your struggles.
4. Volunteer to help the parish priest organize a communal anointing service or sign up to volunteer for funeral luncheons.
5. Don’t let the priest get board in the confessional. Visit him at least once a month.