Pope Francis: the true priest and his relation to Christ
(Vatican Radio) At his daily Mass on Saturday morning at the Casa Santa Marta, Pope
Francis spoke about the priesthood. 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 “smarmy,” [unctuous, It: unctuoso] an idolater, a worshiper
of the “god Narcissus.”
Pope Francis’ homily was entirely dedicated to the
priesthood. Commenting on the passage from first letter of St. John, where the Apostle
says that we have eternal life because we believe in the name of Jesus, the Pope asks
about the relationship of priests with Jesus, because “the strength of a priest is
in this relationship.” 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 are anointed
by the Spirit, and when a priest is far from Jesus Christ he can lose this unction.
In his life, no: essentially he has it... but he loses it. And instead of being anointed
he ends up being smarmy. And how damaging to the Church are smarmy priests! Those
who put their strength in artificial things, in vanity, in an attitude... in a cutesy
language... But how often do we hear it said with sorrow: ‘This is a butterfly-priest,’
because they are always vain... [This kind of priest] does not have a relationship
with Jesus Christ! He has lost the unction: he is smarmy.”
Pope Francis
continued:
“We priests have so many limits. We are sinners, all. But if
we go to Jesus Christ, if we seek the Lord in prayer – prayer of intercession, prayer
of adoration – we are good priests, even though we are sinners. But if we are far
from Jesus Christ, we necessarily compensate for this with other, worldly attitudes.
And so [we see] all these figures... priest-wheeler dealers, priest-tycoons... But
the priest who adores Jesus Christ, the priest who talks with Jesus Christ, the priest
who seeks Jesus Christ and who is allowed to seek Jesus Christ: this is the centre
of our life. If that is not there, we lose everything. And what will we give to the
people?”
“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!”