Priests and the yoke of the abnormal
- Details
- Category: POLITICS
- Published on Saturday, 16 June 2012 12:55
- Written by Fr. Justine John DYIKUK
Today, 15 June 2012, is “World Day of prayer for the sanctification of Priests." To honour all valiant soldiers who toil in the Lord’s vineyard, I share this piece. Let’s start this way: Recently I felt sick and decided to go to a medical diagnostic laboratory to run a set of tests. I met a young Lady there and upon sharing pleasantries, she asked what
type of test I wanted; I said, all. She looked surprised and inquired if genotype would be included. I reclined saying, “I don’t need that.” As if she was not done with her inquisition: “Why, are you married, sir?” she asked. My answer was not in the affirmative; but surprisingly, she curiously said, why? I didn’t say a word and our lab technician gave a shocker-query to my insistence to be mute. “Are you are a reverend father?” was her next question. Speech or silence may betray me, was what was popping in my mind. While I was contemplating the next line of action to take, the young lady who was beginning to be suspicious said: “…you must be abnormal.” The rest of the conversation, I spare you.
This encounter, like that between Jesus and the Samaritan woman by Jacob’s well, kept me thinking. “Am I abnormal? Does becoming a priest make me either natural or unnatural?” were questions that kept flooding my mind. After series of reflections, I discovered that, for the most part, priests are abnormal. They tend to do the exact opposite things, a normal person does. I, therefore, would share my thoughts with you drawing from the aforementioned personal encounter and as well, buttress my points for which the priest bears the encumbrances of ‘abnormality’ while living among normals.
Seeming Sacerdotal Saddles
To my mind, there are seven apparent reasons for which the life of a priest could be perceived as eccentric. Raisons d'être for this development include:
The first is, other people in society pursue professions of their choice but the priest answers the call to a vocation. Granted that in the Church matrimony is also a vocation, lay people could go after the mundane things of life but for the priest, he has to be called and chosen and keeps answering that call till the master returns. Everyone high priest is called from among the people to mediate for his sins and those of the people (Hebs. 5:5). It is reason why no one takes this honor upon himself.
Nature behooves others to raise a biological family but he doesn’t – he is called to a life of chaste celibacy. Celibacy in the Church’s theology is for reasons that are; Christological (Christ, like Melchizedek of old didn’t marry), ecclesiological (a Church discipline binding on priests of Western Rite, {Eastern rite, celibacy binds only on Bishops and Vicars} for availability) and eschatological (there is no marrying or giving into marriage in the world to come, Mtt.19:11). It invariably means that, while it is customary for other men to marry, for the priest, it is not. Some people within and without the Church see this age-old practice as unconventional; no thanks to few scandals.
It is usual for people in a world engrossed by the pursuit of wealth to accumulate property and own possessions. It is in this kind of world that the priest is called to live a life of poverty and detachment from material things; owning of few legitimate property by diocesans, notwithstanding.
Our world is increasingly talking of freedom and rights so much so that it is now a creed. People want to be free from coercion such that responsibility is often shown the back door. It is in this kind of situation that he submits his will to the church, by virtue of the vow of obedience. Apart from religious, this decision is peculiar to priests alone!
The hustle and bustle of life so occupies people that world over, weekends are celebrated. They afford people time for recreation or leisure, friends and family. It is in a time-off world as this that a priest is called to minister. While others go on weekends, that is precisely when his work begins and this is surely, inconsistent with the world.
Every normal person enjoys sleep and would like to have it when due. When others enjoy sleep is at that time they wake up to keep contact with the master – doing the office and saying Holy Mass; there lies the seeming irregularity.
It is common place for people to enjoy the sweat of their hard work courtesy their take-home pay. While others have the benefit of earning and enjoying salaries, priests live on stipends; again, what out of the ordinary, comes voluntarily from the people as part of their pious-charity.
In a showbiz world of stardom and celebrity feats, ordinary people celebrate laurels and excellence showing the world their scorecards. Anomalously, priests go about doing their work awaiting their recompense from Christ who has instructed; “do not have your good deeds paraded by men - your heavenly father who sees all that is done in secret, will reward you.”
Sweet Service
The vocation and ministry of Catholic Priests is a divine mandate. It is a commemoration and continuation of Christ’s salvific mission. His commencement and command albeit milked by the meekness of Melchizidek of old. Against all misgivings, theirs is a lofty calling in the world, next to none. The seeming loud-mouthed words as; infrequent, uncommon, odd, strange, atypical, nonstandard and rare only reveal how great a calling it is and how wonderful and astonishing it is to be a priest.
The presbyter is called upon to bear the burden of ministry and the yoke of Christ, who after all has assured us; “…my yoke is easy and my burden, light.” Jesus Himself lived an abnormal life and preached same. Like father, like son(s); a dove cannot give birth to a lion. In fact, priests should begin to celebrate their abnormality! Such is the sweet service the priest others for God and humanity. Sacrificing personal comforts, he takes upon himself the troubles of others. In his apparent uncharacteristic life, he finds meaning which only Jesus gives. So, our PRIESTS enjoy THE YOKE OF THE ABNORMAL while uncomplainingly ministering to NORMAL people. May the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which we celebrate today, increase God’s anointing in all Pastors of souls. God bless the Church and our priests, gallant witnesses of the Lord, Amen!
Fr. Justine John DYIKUK, a Catholic Priest and a Public Affairs Commentator, writes from Bauchi!
