A true Priest has close relationship with Jesus: Pope Francis
Vatican City, 11 January 2014: A true priest, he said, anointed by God for His people,
has a close relationship with Jesus. When that relationship is missing, the priest
becomes “greasy,” an idolater, a worshiper of the “god Narcissus”, said Pope Francis
on Saturday during Mass at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. The Pope was joined at
the Mass by Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco and a group of priests of the Archdiocese of
Genoa who concelebrated with the Holy Father.
The homily of Pope Francis was
entirely dedicated to the priests. Commenting on the first letter of St. John, where
he says that we have eternal life because we believe in the name of Jesus, the Pope
said that the strength of a priest is in this relationship with Jesus. When Jesus
was growing in popularity, the Pope said, “He went to the Father,” He retreated “to
a deserted place to pray.” This is a kind of “touchstone for priests” he said: whether
or not we seek to find Jesus. “What is the place of Jesus Christ in my priestly life?
Is it a living relationship, from the disciple to the Master, from brother to brother,
from the poor man to God, or is it a somewhat artificial relationship... that does
not come from the heart?” "We priests have many limitations , we are all sinners.
But if we go to Jesus Christ, if we seek the Lord in prayer, we are good priests,
even though we are sinners. But if we turn away from Jesus Christ, we compensate this
with mundane attitudes. And we lose everything. And what do we give to people, asked
the Pope.
“Our relationship with Jesus Christ, a relationship of anointing
for the people,” Pope Francis said, “grows in us priests” more and more each day:
“But it is good to find priests who have given their lives as priests, truly,
of whom the people say: “Yes, he’s difficult, he’s this or that... But he is a priest!
And people know! On the other hand, when people see priest idolaters, so to speak,
priests who instead of having Jesus have little idols... worshippers of the god Narcissus...
When people see [priests like this] they say ‘poor guy!’ The relationship with Jesus
Christ saves us from worldliness and idolatry that makes us smarmy, preserves us in
the anointing [we have received]. And today, this is my hope for you who have been
kind enough to come here to concelebrate with me: Even if you lose everything in life,
don’t lose this relationship with Jesus Christ! This is your victory. Go forward with
this!” Source: VR Sedoc