What a Waste!

Many times while growing up in my Catholic religion and culture, I heard the comment whispered behind a priest's back, "What a waste!"  The female issuing this statement obviously thought that such a good-looking, young priest should have been married.  Yet we in the pews are very much in need of his unique services.  As I heard not too long ago, "No priest, no Jesus!"

All of us have a vocation.  We are meant to become, as adults, either single persons, part of a marriage, or have our lives dedicated to God in a special way as priests, religious brothers or sisters.  Not one of us has not struggled in living out our lives.  I cannot imagine the temptations priests have to endure.  I have not personally witnessed but have been told that some young females particularly like to seduce priests, much as some men like to seduce young women.  A friend told me that she witnessed a young woman putting the key to her apartment into a young priest's hand.

Yes, we know that a few priests fall victim to temptation, just as plenty of non-priests do.  We never hear about those faithful clergymen who fulfill their duties well, year after year, just as we never hear about married persons living out their commitment despite almost insurmountable difficulties.

Just as Jesus considered his church - we, all of us - to be his bride, so do our priests consider the people of the church to be his family.  Could we give them a break and help them as we can?  After all, they and other Christians are being persecuted in countries around the world.

Lord, we thank you for all persons serving us as ministers of Your Holy Word.  We pray that all persecutions cease and peace is created everywhere!