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Sunday of the Priests
January 29-February 4, 2012
Icon from The Maronite Icons, ©1999 by DAR SADER Publishers, used by permission.
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Today
the Maronite Church begins a series of three Sundays dedicated to prayer for the
dead. This first Sunday is set aside as a commemoration of all the deceased
priests of the Church.
Christ has established the priesthood for his Church and entrusted it
with great responsibilities. The priest is given the task of caring
for the spiritual needs of the people of his parish. The bishop, however,
is responsible for not only all the people of the diocese, but also for
his priests and other ministers.
The more the Lord gives to the Church, the more he asks from it. The
gift of the priesthood calls the people of God, the Church, to pray for
those who were entrusted with the divine mysteries and carried on the
salvific work of Christ. The bishop and priest are called to be the salt
of the earth and the light and presence of Christ among us. All these
responsibilities have been given to men who possess human weakness and
frailty.
The gospel for the Eucharist today speaks of the "faithful servant"
which is, of course, the role of the priest and bishop. They are to be
like the wise virgins always ready to serve the Lord, and like the faithful
servant, eager to multiply the talents God has given them.
Because the priest and bishop have been given so much responsibility over
the Church of God, they must know, not only God's will, but must also
constantly strive to be examples of fidelity and prudent action. The
Church's ministers always must seek to be strong in virtue, persevering in
willingness and humble and constant action. If not, they may delay the
Master's coming.
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