I have been teased by my siblings sometimes. They would say to me things like: you as a priest have a great life. You have nothing to worry about, you have no family, you don’t have to go to work each day -- such a great and easy life. And from the outside, the life of a priest may look like that. But I must tell you that there are many times when I feel exhausted and wish I had the life of my sister or brother. And don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy my priestly ministry. I like to preach, I find it very helpful to write these daily reflections, I feel privileged to celebrate Mass and to hear confessions. I am honored to witness a marriage or to baptize a newly born child. I also feel blessed when people trust me and want to come and talk, to share with me their joys, or moments of difficulties. I like to celebrate holy days like Christmas, Holy Week, Easter. But my ministry also includes a less enjoyable part, which includes typical office work, decision making, hearing complaints from some people. I love being a priest, but it is not always easy. We all need rest; we all need to take time aside and spend it only with God. Jesus is encouraging His disciples today, after they came back from proclaiming the Good News to the people: “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” We all need time when we are by ourselves.
Comments