What is a Priest?

(by Catherine Doherty)

A priest is a lover of God.

A priest is a lover of men.

A priest is a holy man.

A priest understands all things.

A priest forgives all things.

A priest encompasses all things.

The heart of a priest is pierced, like Christ's,

with the lance of love.

The heart of a priest is open, like Christ's,

 for the whole world to walk through.

The heart of a priest is a vessel of compassion.

The heart of a priest is a chalice of love.

The heart of a priest is the trysting place

of human and divine love.

A priest is a man whose goal is to be another Christ;

a priest is a man who lives to serve.

A priest is a man who has crucified himself

so that he too may be lifted up

and draw all things to Christ.

A priest is a man in love with the Church

A priest is a man ready to die for his Church, like Christ.

A priest is the gift of God to man

and of man to God.

A priest is the symbol of the Word made flesh.

A priest is the naked sword of God's justice.

A priest is the hand of God's mercy.

A priest is the reflection of God's love.

Nothing can be greater in this world than a priest, nothing but God himself.