Editor’s note: This is the first of two columns that center on priests as configured to Christ. The column may be found here: Configured to Jesus, priests preach, teach and are instruments of healing grace.
Jesus is the great high priest (Heb 4:14) as declared by God (Heb 5:10), “holy innocent, undefiled” (Heb 7:26). Jesus is great, superior to every other priest, whether Moses or Aaron or any other priest, because he is both divine and human, God and man. All other priests are only human, “beset by weakness” (Heb 5:2).
“Jesus is the perfect High Priest because he is perfectly man and perfectly God; He can represent man to God and God to man. He is the one person through whom man comes to God and God comes to man” (William Barclay, Hebrews, 31).
A Catholic priest represents and embodies Jesus, the high priest, both at Mass and at any other time or place. He acts “in persona Christi capitus,” in the person of Christ the head, and consequently, a priest configures himself to Jesus (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1563).
Jesus was a man of intense prayer. He prayed before every major moment in his life — before he began his public ministry, before he chose his Apostles, before his transfiguration, and before his passion and death. Jesus also was in the habit of going off to secluded places in the morning and in the evening to remain united with his Father, stay on course, and renew his strength. Jesus prayed in synagogues and the Temple. Configured to Jesus, a priest is a man of intense prayer, who prays before every major moment, before decisions big and small, as well as each day, both in the morning and in the evening, to keep his life and ministry connected to and directed by Jesus. He also prays with and for the sheep of his flock.
Jesus was a humble servant. He came, not to be served, but to serve. He lowered himself to wash his disciples’ feet. As the supreme gift, he laid down his life on the cross for the salvation of all. He gave freely without the expectation of repayment. He never glorified himself. Configured to Jesus, a priest practices the virtue of humility, and he resists all temptations to be prideful or controlling. He does not seek advantage or privilege. He associates with all people, and pays particular attention to the lowly, unpopular or forgotten. He is glad to do ordinary tasks. He willingly sets aside selfish inclinations, focuses on others and serves with generosity.
Jesus was not an individual operator. He began his ministry by calling others to join him, initially calling Peter and Andrew, James and John, then eight more men, and they were accompanied by Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and many other women. Jesus was a teambuilder. Jesus empowered them to serve in his name, was a partner with each of them, and helped them to work together. Configured to Jesus, a priest is not a lone ranger. He invites others to serve Jesus and the Church, both men and women, and once they have accepted their roles, without overmanaging, he empowers them to serve, stays in close relationship with each, and helps them collaborate with each other.
Jesus is the good shepherd. He knows his sheep by name, and he willingly laid down his life for his sheep. Configured to Jesus, a priest is a good shepherd: He is present, dependable, concerned, guiding and protecting, feeding and tending the flock. The priest takes special interest in every individual, attentively learning the person’s name, unique characteristics and life story, so he can offer personalized care. The priest lays down his life by making a lifelong promise to serve as a shepherd on behalf of the Good Shepherd.
Father Van Sloun is the director of clergy personnel for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
