The Page of Priests – Responsibility
Responsibility
A beautiful phrase was said in the (Discokalia) about the duty of the bishop, which is:
“Let the bishop care for everyone so that he may save them.”
And the bishop cares for everyone through his priests and deacons…
This ultimately calls for precise visitation of all members of the people: of families and of individuals, and caring for children, youth, workers and the unemployed, and those who have no one to remember them. Not merely fulfilling formalities, but with heartfelt and practical care.
However, many priests are hindered by numerous occupations from their spiritual care of the people.
Either liturgical occupations of vigils, liturgical services, betrothals, weddings, and funerals… and they leave the spiritual work. Or they are occupied by other matters related to building and construction, many administrative works, social services, and kinds of activities that he likes to perform himself and does not delegate to others. In all that he does not find time for spiritual work and for leading people to repentance.
Those whom he neglects because of his occupations may be devoured by other sects.
The priest’s responsibility in pastoral care is also to provide his people with spiritual food.
Concerning that spiritual food the Lord said: “Who then is the faithful and wise steward whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his lord, when he comes, shall find so doing!” (Luke 12:42, 43). And about this spiritual food the psalmist says concerning God the Good Shepherd: “He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul; he leads me in paths of righteousness” (Psalm 23:2, 3). So does every priest do thus?! Feed his children. And give them their food in due time. Not delay them… nor leave their souls to wither without the water of life?! Nor leave a period of their life to pass without the food that suits it… in its time… Can the priest say:
“Behold, I and the children whom the Lord has given me” (Isaiah 8:18).
Because of the importance of this phrase, Paul the Apostle repeated it regarding the Good Shepherd (Hebrews 2:12). And can the priest also say another phrase: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). And by the phrase (my house) is not meant his small family, but rather the whole house of God. He is responsible for every member in this great family which is the “assembly of believers.”
The priest must certainly give an account to God for every soul he shepherds…
Included in his concern for his people is individual work, so that the individual is not placed in the midst of the crowd…
The parable of the lost sheep gives us a wonderful example of care for the single individual. Who is able—if he looks at a congregation of one hundred—to notice that one of the hundred is missing?! (Luke 15).
Many priests are very glad for the ninety-nine present, and see it as an excellent attendance rate. And amid that joy they forget the one absent!
The Lord Jesus had crowds pressing him by the thousands. But that great number did not cause him to forget a single person, namely Zacchaeus the tax collector; he called him by name, and entered his house so that salvation might occur to the house. And he said concerning that tax collector: “Behold, he too is a son of Abraham” (Luke 19:9).
The excuse of busyness does not absolve from responsibility at all… and the priest must realize the importance and value of the single soul.
Every single soul was bought with a great price, which is the blood of Christ. So it is not right to despise that precious blood for which He paid for a soul, and that we neglect in its pastoral care! Therefore the holy Apostle Paul said to the shepherds of the church of Ephesus: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). He added the phrase (which he purchased with his blood) to show them the importance of those souls which they shepherd…
We must take care of these souls entrusted to us by God, lest any perish from them.
There are reasons for the destruction of some souls. And we would not want that to be because of us, lest God require their blood from us, as He previously warned us (Ezek. 3:18) (Ezek. 33:8). Therefore Paul said to the shepherds of Ephesus whom he called from Miletus: “I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” “Take heed therefore, watch, remember that for three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:26, 27, 31).
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