For the Sake of the People
For the Sake of the People
Every priest who works in this holy ministry has received this rank for the sake of the people, not for himself.
His own life he pledges to offer in the field of service for the sake of his people, because he works in the domain of pastoral care: “The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11).
The priesthood for him is not authority, but responsibility.
It is a burden placed on his shoulders, not a crown placed on his head.
It is an account he will give to God on the Last Day—about every soul and every family within the scope of his service…
For it was said about the Lord Jesus Christ, glory be to Him, that He “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45).
Therefore, how beautiful it is for the priest to strive with all his heart, all his effort, and all his labor to find a dwelling for the Lord in the heart of everyone.
As David the prophet said:
“Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house,
or go up to the comfort of my bed;
I will not give sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
until I find a place for the Lord,
a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” (Psalm 132:3–5).
His condition is labor—labor of the body—so that his spirit and conscience may find rest in fulfilling his duty for the sake of his spiritual children.
And according to the measure of his labor, so is his reward from God for his service.
As Saint Paul the Apostle said about his ministry and that of Apollos: “Each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” (1 Corinthians 3:8).
It is a spiritual and pastoral principle I place before the priest:
Either the priest labors, and the people rest;
or he rests, and the people labor.
Blessed is he who chooses labor…
and finds in labor a kind of rest—a deep inner rest—and the joy of seeing the fruits of this labor in the spiritual life of his people…
He also finds rest when he feels the hand of God working with him and comforting him in all his toil.
As Scripture says: “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love.” (Hebrews 6:10).
Therefore, how beautiful is the apostle’s saying to priests and all servants:
“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
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