Heb 7: 1-3, 15-17
This “King Melchizedek of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him”; and to him Abraham apportioned “one-tenth of everything.” His name, in the first place, means “king of righteousness”; next he is also king of Salem, that is, “king of peace.” Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
It is even more obvious when another priest arises, resembling Melchizedek, one who has become a priest, not through a legal requirement concerning physical descent, but through the power of an indestructible life. For it is attested of him, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
A Priest Forever
I have had the privilege of knowing many priests during my life. There seems to be a perception that the priest should be available to their people at all times: before Mass, after Mass, while working in their office, while passing on a street. I have never heard complaints from the priests for these interruptions. But I have seen the result of these interruptions: work not being accomplished, meetings missed, homilies rushed, appointments pushed back and a general sense that what the priest needs is less important.
So I have learned how important it is for us to pray for them. These men cherish their vocation. They want to be of service and help when needed. But it takes a toll. Let’s take the time to truly help them. Let’s remember that they are “a priest forever.” Let’s lift them up to God.
—Kathy England is a Pastoral Associate at St. Francis Xavier Church in Cincinnati, OH.
Prayer
God, please give to your Church today
many more priests after your own heart.
May they be worthy representatives of Christ the Good Shepherd.
May they wholeheartedly devote themselves to prayer and penance;
be examples of humility and poverty;
shining models of holiness;
tireless and powerful preachers of the Word of God;
zealous dispensers of your grace in the sacraments.
May their loving devotion to your Son Jesus in the Eucharist
and to Mary his Mother be the twin fountains of fruitfulness for their ministry.
—St. John Vianney