Religious Life / Priesthood: A Path to Holiness

 Religious Life / Priesthood:
A Path to Holiness

Introduction

Today, let us reflect on the three pillars of Religious Life:

1. Pursuit of holiness: we are called to be holy and perfect as the Heavenly Father is holy and perfect (Mt. 5:48)
2. Community life: family with a spiritual bond
3. Mission

We have lost sight of the first two. We are lost in too many hectic activities. Too much doing at the cost of being in communion in the community, at the cost of our holiness and community life; we do lots of things as part of our mission and apostolate, but our lives have no credibility. We are losing our inner vitality, our spiritual vibrancy.

Community life is the home and school of Communion; it is where communion is learnt and experienced; it is the last resort of communion. If communion is not found in a religious community, nowhere can it be found. Community is not a few individuals put together, but rather individuals in communion and are interrelated. A religious community is made up of not just individuals but many families. Each member comes with a package of family script, customs, and lifestyle. Therefore, a religious community is a meeting point of families rather than individuals.

So, build up relations, acceptance, and mutual love. St. Francis of Assisi says, “God gave me brothers.” It implies that we have not chosen our community; we have not chosen the members of our community. It is God’s gift. So, I love the members as they are; I accept them as they are… St. Basil says, “A problematic member is a grace to the community.” Take it as a chance to live with these – to become more mature, holy…Faith (commitment to the person and mission of Jesus and love (Agape = unconditional love) are the foundation of community life.

Context and Problem:

1. Double Tendency: Communitarianism and Individualism

There is a growing tendency towards communalism, and at the same time, there is a greater tendency towards Individualism. This double tendency is the result of a growing sense of solitude and insecurity. Because of this solitude and insecurity, people long for companionship and mutual support. However, they also crave personal autonomy and freedom, which leads to Individualism. So, we observe everywhere these two tendencies: a tendency towards unification or cooperation and a tendency towards segregation or fragmentation. This happens on a global level (globalization) and on a personal level (small groups). This attitude of society is also very much in Religious communities today. On the one side, there is a craving for group or community life from which people expect support, warmth, sympathy, affirmation, help, security, etc., and on the other side, they will not allow the community or group to touch their independence and freedom. As a result, what happens is they protest against the group or community that does not correspond to what they think is right, and they feel free to withdraw from the group anytime when things no longer work according to their expectations. There may be some positive aspect in this, but however, the danger is that the individual may end up his or her life avoiding any kind of commitment – to a cause, to a value, to an ideal, to a person…etc.

- We are seriously affected by the tension between “communion” and the strong tendency towards Individualism. It affects our Religious too. Reflect! How to face this tension?

- How to integrate the value of communion and the value of personal freedom?

Religious Life / Priesthood: A Path to Holiness

Religious life is God’s gift of vocation. Priesthood is the gift of God given to an individual. It is the mercy of God that has gifted us with grace despite all our weaknesses.

A priest must be holy and nothing less than that. A priest is holy because the Church in which he subsists is holy. Each priest is called to holiness. There is a universal call to holiness. There is also a personal call given to every priest in whom God has blended the priesthood and sainthood perfectly. This blending is expressed vividly by St. Paul in Ephesians 1:3-4 

The priesthood that we received is definitely a ‘spiritual blessing’ from the ‘heavenly places’. A priest is a person who is chosen in Christ. This priesthood is forever.

A priest must become a true and genuine priest in the fullest sense of the term. He must work hard towards maintaining his true identity. There must be a persistent effort to attain sanctity of life. Priests must be meek, humble, and hardworking, and achieve the qualities of a true priest and sincerely strive to live a life worthy of Christ. It is a consecrated and holy life that brings God to people and leads people to God. Every moment of the life of a priest and every activity that a priest undertakes must reveal his sanctity. He must be a learned and prudent man who approaches every situation with humility and sensibility.

Priests are called to bear witness to the person of Christ. Therefore, a holy priest is one who always remains exemplary in his conduct and comportment. He is ever ready to observe with precision the ecclesiastical discipline (that includes the Constitutions and the Spirit of one’s society or congregation), lead a flawless and faultless life, and be zealous and unrelenting in his desire for souls. He must carry out his priestly duties wisely.

He must be a man of hope. The faithful should be able to see him become a true Minister of God and of the Church. He must be associated with the heart of the true shepherd, Jesus.

A priest must be enthusiastic and passionate of carrying out his responsibilities. He must not be afraid to take up any responsibility. ­­He must keep himself safe from the extremes of over-activity and total withdrawal.

One of the most noted dimensions in the life of a priest would be that people identify in him the true servant of God. He must be fervent in God-oriented life and a total commitment to his prayer life. A priest is a person who is absolutely upright and who lives as a witness to the Gospel.

Foundation of Religious / Priestly Holiness

A journey of priestly life of holiness is an ongoing, lifelong activity.

1. A life deep-rooted in Love”

Love is the basis of holiness. Love is holiness. Only one who is holy can really love. Love is an inner source of power. The priest must guard it, make it grow, and use it for the glory of God and the good of the faithful. It is to have an intimate relationship with the holy Trinity. When love arises, holiness increases. A priest must be motivated to love everyone, always. Every thought, word, and deed must be an act of love. We must learn to love everyone unconditionally.  Where there is no love, all sorts of evil can creep in.

2. Total Surrender and Acceptance of the Cross

It is being obedient to the Father’s will. We must listen to the voice of the Father and answer by surrendering our will to the Father. This experience of surrender is the life of holiness of the priest.

3. Docility to the Spirit

Being docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit is the foundation of all spirituality and holiness. It is to recognize God’s love in Christ by way of the Spirit. This is what helps a priest to develop an interior life, which is a sign of holiness.

4. The Sacraments – A Strong Foundation for Holiness

It is to grow in surrender to Christ day by day, through both the reception and celebration of the sacraments.  Growth in holiness means allowing Jesus to take possession of us more and more. The more he dwells in us, the holier we are, and he will do wonders through us, and our ministry shall be more fruitful.

5. Virtue of Priestly Celibacy

Celibacy means being forever chaste. It is the very foundation of one’s call to holiness. Celibacy is the mistress of all virtues. It helps one to be pure in body, mind and spirit. This helps to abstain from the desires of the flesh and thus helps to lead a pure life. Celibacy enables us to follow Christ totally. The moment we joyfully accept the vow of celibacy, we are gifting ourselves to the Lord and to the Church.