The Primacy of Grace: Letter to Diocesan Priests
As we approach the celebration of Holy Thursday and commemorate the gift of the ministerial priesthood, I thought it would be an appropriate time to share what I hope will be the first of a series of letters about various spiritual topics. So often when a bishop writes to his priests it's about financial matters or diocesan programs or policies. Such correspondence is a necessary and unavoidable part of diocesan governance.
Once in awhile, however, as bishop and priests we need to step back to "think of what is above, not of what is on earth" (Col 3:2). I write this letter, then, not with the pretense of being "holier-than-thou" nor as someone who has mastered the spiritual life. I write as a spiritual father, a brother priest and a fellow traveler on an elusive spiritual journey.
This first letter, then, deals with what I will call "the primacy of grace" in our personal lives and as ministers of the Gospel.
So often when I attend gatherings and meetings of priests in both informal and formal settings I hear them express heartfelt concerns about the many challenges they face in their pastoral ministry. These concerns include matters such as parish finances, the viability of our schools, the sacramental practice of the faithful, the many expectations placed upon their daily schedules, the morale of priests and the state of their health.
It's helpful to remember that these problems are not limited to our local presbyterate. They occur in other places too. Nor are they unique to our time in history. Every age has challenges and problems. Nonetheless, they are legitimate concerns and should never be taken lightly.
It's important, it seems to me, that we always try to keep a healthy perspective — that we not succumb to feeling sorry for ourselves or feeling helpless, isolated or alone. It's also important to keep focused on the many blessings we enjoy as well as the good and positive work we accomplish every day in the exercise of our priestly ministry. We should recognize that the solution to our problems will not be found merely by changing external factors but rather by strengthening the peace and spiritual harmony that come from within.
Earlier I referred to the primacy of grace. The phrase identifies a wonderful vision, a reality that must inform our lives as disciples of Christ and ministers of the Gospel. The phrase is not mine, however. Our late Holy Father Pope John Paul II wrote of the primacy of grace in his 2001 apostolic letter Novo Millennio Ineunte. With words that seem to address our situation perfectly he writes:
"There is a temptation which perennially besets every spiritual journey and pastoral work: that of thinking that the results depend on our ability to act and to plan. God of course asks us to really cooperate with his grace, and therefore invites us to invest all our resources of intelligence and energy in serving the cause of the kingdom. But it is fatal to forget that 'without Christ we can do nothing'" (No. 38).
"Without Christ we can do nothing." These words are helpful regardless of our particular station or ministry in the church. As bishop, pastor, assistant pastor, campus minister, hospital chaplain, chancery official, priest on special assignment or senior priest — we need to remember that "without Christ we can do nothing." The other part of Christ's statement at the Last Supper is also true, however, and should be very encouraging for us: "Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit."
In extolling the primacy of grace we shouldn't diminish the human reality of the challenges we face or relegate them to a vague spiritual netherworld. Our dependence on God doesn't lessen at all our personal accountability for our well-being or pastoral ministry.
As Pope John Paul insisted, we need "to really cooperate with God's grace . . . to invest all our resources of intelligence and energy in serving the cause of the kingdom." But in fact when we've worked hard and done our very best, the truth remains — "without Christ we can do nothing."
Our dependence on God for the success of our work is a theme found throughout the Scriptures. Consider the following:
"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it" (Ps 127:1).
St. Paul to the Colossians: "Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus" (3:17).
St. Paul to the Philippians, "For the [sake of Christ] I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ" (3:8).
The Letter to the Hebrews invites us to "persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith" (12:2).
In short, dear brothers, everything we do — all of our sacrifices and suffering, our travels and travail, our teaching and preaching, all of our meetings, programs, policies and procedures — they're useless and mean nothing if we lose our focus, if we lose sight of the reason and goal of our work. All of our activity is an exercise in complete futility if not done for Christ, if not "through him, with him and in him."
If we believe in the primacy of grace, if we are convinced that "without Christ we can do nothing," we achieve a healthier perspective about our work, and we maintain a better sense of balance. At the same time our spiritual lives acquire a new sense of urgency.
Here I think of the wonderful sermon of St. Charles Borromeo we find in the Office of Readings on his feast day, Nov. 4. In addressing his priests he says:
"I admit that we are all weak, but if we want help, the Lord God has given us a means to find it easily. One priest may wish to lead a good, holy life, as he knows he should. . . . Yet he does not resolve to use suitable means such as penance, prayer, the avoidance of evil discussions, and harmful and dangerous friendships."
St. Charles goes on to say, "Are you in charge of a parish? If so, do not neglect the parish of your own soul. You have to be mindful of your people without becoming forgetful of yourself. This is the way we can easily overcome the countless difficulties we have to face day after day, which, after all, are part of our work."
Very practical advice from a great shepherd of souls.
What is the program that will help us develop a lively sense of the primacy of grace? What do we need to rediscover the centrality of Christ in our lives? Pope John Paul explained it this way: "The program already exists: It is the plan found in the Gospel and in the living tradition, it is the same as ever. Ultimately, it has its center in Christ himself, who is to be known, loved and imitated so that in him we may live the life of the Trinity and with him transform history until its fulfillment in the heavenly Jerusalem" (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 29).
I don't know that I've ever read a more concise and complete summary of the Christian life. And if it applies to all Christians, it certainly has special meaning for those who are priests.
Priestly spirituality, our awareness of the primacy of grace, begins and finds its ultimate expression in the celebration of the holy Eucharist. While we are called to form and lead the community as a eucharistic people, the priest himself, already configured to Christ, has a unique relationship with the Eucharist where he naturally identifies with Christ, priest and victim. For that reason the daily celebration of holy Mass — normally with a congregation but even without a congregation when necessary — is the cornerstone of our spiritual lives.
Our spiritual journey continues in personal prayer. As Pope John Paul wrote, [it is prayer that] "constantly reminds us of the primacy of Christ and, in union with him, the primacy of the interior life and of holiness. When this principle is not respected, is it any wonder that pastoral plans come to nothing and leave us with a disheartening sense of frustration?" (Novo Millennia Ineunte, 38).
It's an insightful question: When we don't pray, "is it any wonder that our pastoral plans come to nothing and leave us with a disheartening sense of frustration?" In fact, prayer is the foundation of our ministry — deep, personal, intimate prayer. Since we don't live in a monastic world, though, the discipline of prayer can be challenging. But even when we're busy, tired or discouraged we should try to pray, though we might hear the words of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane gently spoken to us: "Could you not keep watch for one hour? . . . The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" (Mk 14: 37-38).
Experience has shown that prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, the most intimate of encounters with Christ, always bears special fruit. We should also renew our attention to the faithful praying of the Divine Office, a serious commitment for us but much more than that, an opportunity to broaden our horizons and pray with and for the whole church and world. The rosary is a prayer that has spoken to many generations of Catholics — including priests — and opens to us the mysteries of our Lady and our Lord, and helps us to integrate the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious events of our lives into one vision of faith.
My brothers, the people we serve count on us to be spiritual leaders, men wrapped and versed in prayer. Pray then as often as you can and in the manner you find helpful. But pray you must. Without it, your spiritual life will be arid and empty and your ministry fruitless. "Without me you can do nothing," the Lord reminds us.
In our striving for holiness we shouldn't overlook the transformative power of the sacrament of reconciliation. Pope John Paul reminded priests that "whoever exercises the ministry of reconciling Christians with the Lord through the sacrament of forgiveness must himself have recourse to the sacrament. He will be the first to acknowledge that he is a sinner and to believe in the divine pardon expressed by sacramental absolution" (June 2, 1993, general audience).
I urge you then to examine and renew your own use of the sacrament of reconciliation, a sure means of forgiveness, peace and spiritual growth.
In our spiritual journey it is also helpful to have the companionship of fellow priests, true brothers uniquely qualified to understand our strengths and weaknesses, to share the joys and sorrows, the successes and failures we encounter along the way. Like the disciples walking the road to Emmaus, we tell our stories and encounter the living Christ not by ourselves but with those who travel with us. I encourage you to develop and maintain close friendships with other priests, to be supportive and caring of your brothers, and to have access to a qualified spiritual director and confessor who can assist you in your journey of faith.
Finally, the church reminds us of the value of making an annual retreat and of participating in other days of recollection and opportunities for personal formation. Jesus set the example for us when he gathered the apostles and said, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while" (Mk 6:31). And we know that Jesus himself often retreated for quiet moments of solitude and prayer.
My brothers, in these and perhaps other ways you've discovered, we realize the primacy of grace in all that we do and thus remain firmly tied to Christ, our life.
In his amazing inaugural homily, on April 24, 2005, Pope Benedict said:
"Only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is . . . There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel, by the encounter with Christ. There is nothing more beautiful than to know him and to speak to others of our friendship with him."
Doesn't that summarize our vocation and ministry as priests — to find our life in Christ, to develop our friendship with him and to speak of that friendship with conviction and joy to others?
My dear brothers, as I have said to you so often, I am filled with affection for you and with admiration and gratitude for your generous service to the Lord. My prayer is that you will never become discouraged or disheartened by the trials and tribulations that come your way but rather that you will recognize and celebrate the good work you are doing for the Lord and his church. As you continue your service never lose sight of the truth that "without Christ you can do nothing, but if you remain in Him, you will bear much fruit."
This item 8293 digitally provided courtesy of CatholicCulture.org
