A few random thoughts … pray for us

By Msgr. Harry Bugler

Being a priest is an extraordinary vocation. It’s sad that more young men don’t consider it. 

Over the years I’ve come to some conclusions about being a priest. First among them is that priesthood is about relationship. The title “Father” is a relational one, a call to create life, community and memories, a call to help people in their relationship with God and to have some influence in molding them into relationship with one another as the People of God.

Priests are not separate members of the community. We have a special role to play, which we do best in helping others to reach their potential as blessed and committed people of faith. It is important that we recognize and celebrate the gifts and charisms of others, and that we love our people; they certainly love us priests, for which I am eternally grateful.

Secondly, we consciously and consistently must cultivate virtue. Virtue is power. Fortunately, when we earnestly work at a specific virtue, this gives rise to other ones. Among them must be gratitude, gratitude to God for calling us to holy orders and sustaining us on the journey; gratitude to our people for their steadfast support, for embracing us in love, supporting us with their prayers and patience, and being for us the best of teachers. 

Humility is particularly important. Being aware of our dependence on God, and on others, to bring about the kingdom should keep us humble. Humility helps us not to think too highly of ourselves, not to consider ourselves superior to others. Indeed it’s never good practice to compare ourselves to others, but I humbly admit most people I’ve encountered are a lot holier than I ever will be.

Curé John Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests. Considered unlearned, he initially wasn’t allowed to preach. Yet he was enormously effective in the confessional. He had a great capacity to call forth compunction, to instill in penitents the awareness of the profound goodness of God and the people of God. St. John Vianney reminds me to always have a deep reverence and appreciation for everyone who comes to me for the sacrament of reconciliation.

These times are particularly challenging: coronavirus, social tensions, political dividedness, lessening of civil discourse and diminishment of the practice of our Catholic faith. With that background, we need to offer hope to people. Hope empowers us to live differently because a Christian understanding of hope is rooted in the unshakable conviction that God loves us and wants our good. As St. Paul declares, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

We minister hope through acts of kindness and attentiveness. We minister hope when we affirm the goodness in a person that they may not see in themselves. We minister hope when we ask someone how they’re doing and take time to listen to what they say. And we especially minister hope when we affirm the dignity of every person who passes in and out of our lives, celebrate their existence and let them know how poorer the world would be without them.

A final thought: I am deeply grateful to God for my wonderful parents. My mother is the holiest person I’ve known; my father possessed a lot of practical wisdom. 

One particular memory comes to mind. It was the morning of my first Mass. We were sitting at the kitchen table while the rest of the folks were getting ready, and I matter-of-factly asked Dad, what I should say to the people?

“Tell them to pray for you, of course” he said.

I should have thought of that myself. Forty-six years on, I’m much more conscious of the need I have for people’s prayers.

Msgr. Harry Bugler is pastor of St. Philip Neri Church, Metairie, in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.