Mother Mary’s Sons

Mary loves everyone that Jesus loves.  That means she loves all of us with a true motherly love.  In saying this, Mary has a particular closeness to those who reflect Her Son Jesus in a powerful way: His priests.

Indeed, Jesus gave Mary to all of us when He was dying on the Cross.  He also specifically gave Mary to St. John, the Beloved Apostle who is one of the first priests of Jesus Christ along with the other Apostles.

Mary loves her sons. All those men who have given their "fiat" to God through their Consecration as priests of Jesus Christ.  Mary looks at our priests and sees Jesus.  She teaches them to love her Son in the way they pray, serve, and celebrate the Sacraments.  She accompanies them in their lonely times, and moments of grief, and she rejoices in those times where she sees their Spiritual Fatherhood shine most brightly.  Mary knows their concerns for the parishes entrusted to them. She knows how hard it can be, yet she looks upon them with love and says, "Do whatever He [Jesus] tells you."  Mary gives to our priests her motherly embrace and wishes them to see that a life truly given to God is worthy of eternal reward.

I remember a while back asking a priest to share some thoughts about Spiritual Fatherhood and what that particularly means.  He noted: 

"Spiritual Fatherhood is an immense part of the Sacred Priesthood.  Guiding people by preaching, celebrating the Sacraments, counselling them in the ways of Jesus Christ, helping our “children” find their way, not only in this life, but finding their way to the Heavenly Kingdom.  What more could any father hope to do?  Priests are called upon to provide the Sacraments, to teach the Faith and instill morals and values, again just like any earthly father, but with, hopefully, Heavenly results."

This priest eventually became a Bishop, His Excellency Bishop Wayne Lobsinger, and is now a Spiritual Father to a much bigger flock! 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church also provides some key insights into the priesthood that we must consider.

"This sacrament configures the recipient to Christ by a special grace of the Holy Spirit, so that he may serve as Christ's instrument for his Church. By ordination one is enabled to act as a representative of Christ, Head of the Church, in his triple office of priest, prophet, and king" (CCC 1581).

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is truly a remarkable gift!  We can imagine the joy of the Blessed Virgin Mary when one of her sons receives this special gift; to truly reflect her Son in this world, so much so that when a priest celebrates the Sacraments, he is in persona Christi (in the person of Christ).  

This month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus but it is also dedicated to praying for our priests.  How beautiful their vocation is and how much Satan wishes to snatch it away from them!  Let us make sure that we speak an encouraging and supportive word to our bishops and priests.  Let us continue to support those who believe they have a vocation to the priesthood.  Let us pray for our bishops and priests that they will have the courage and strength to be faithful everyday to their calling, and especially faithful to Mary's motherly voice who says to them, "Do whatever He [Jesus] tells you."