Ministering to priests, especially to those who have allowed themselves to mature, reveals the spirituality of emptiness, of futility, of being poured out like of a libation. If a priest is living the grace of his ordination his soul will most surely begin to start singing the words of psalm 22, a psalm of hope and victory covered in ignomy: “Eloi eloi lamech sabachtani!, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” It will feel like he has nothing left over, like he has been spent and consumed. He will ask, “Am I in crisis? Is there something wrong with me? Have I displeased God somehow” and will be accustomed to valley walking his journey through low spots, acquainted with misery, rejection, abandonment, and loss. The reason for this is that his identification with Christ is as shepherd and servant, and his poor priestly heart becomes conformed more and more to Jesus’ Sacred Heart, which is pierced by our offenses, broken open by our rejection of his friendship and presence, and abandoned in ingratitude of the many. Being conformed to Christ fully means being crucified with him. However, the consolation and intimacy given to those who allow themselves to grow in Christ’s priesthood is beyond any explanation. It is a compensation and comfort for such desolation. At times there is a delay or lapse in such consolation to allow the priest to long and ache for eternity, for real life, to begin. It is at these times priests are in need of great prayer, intercession, and sacrifices. Today is a Friday, or day of penance in the life of the Church. Join me in praying and sacrificing today for priests. Our Father...Hail Mary....Glory Be

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