The Priest and How He Represents God Himself?
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the priest is a steward of God, as Scripture says: “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Cor. 4:1). The priest does not speak or act by himself but through the Holy Spirit who dwells in him, declaring God’s forgiveness through his mouth, for it is the Holy Spirit who grants forgiveness through the merits of Christ’s blood.
The authority of priesthood
The Pope clarifies that Christ Himself gave the apostles and priests the authority to forgive when He said: “Receive the Holy Spirit; if you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven” (John 20:22). God is the one who forgives, but through the priest who has received the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands. Thus the Church prays: “May they be absolved from my mouth by Your Holy Spirit,” meaning forgiveness comes from God but is proclaimed by the priest.
The priest represents God in the Church
His Holiness stresses that the priest represents God within the Church — in the Liturgy, in teaching, and in blessing. When he blesses or grants absolution, the people feel they are receiving God’s own blessing. People often do not distinguish between religion and the priest; therefore, his conduct reflects Christianity itself.
Responsibility of behavior
The Pope gives examples, saying that people might consider smoking or breaking the fast acceptable if a priest does it. Therefore, the priest must be extremely careful in both word and action, as his behavior embodies the faith and represents God before the world.
The priest as a bearer of God
He compares the priest to St. Ignatius of Antioch, called “Theophoros,” meaning “God-bearer,” because the priest carries God’s grace to others. He enters homes with God’s blessing, visits the sick with divine power, and serves by God’s grace, not his own ability.
The priest as God’s instrument
The priest is a vessel through whom the Holy Spirit works, as Christ said: “It is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” God works through the priest, with him, and in him. The ministry is not human or routine, but divine.
A call to humility
The Pope concludes that the priest must not boast in his ministry but humbly say with St. Paul: “Not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” The true priest denies himself so that God may appear through him, serving with God’s power and love for the salvation of souls and the glory of Christ’s name.
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