The Priest, Humility, and Social Service

The General Idea of the Lecture

The lecture addresses the essence of the priest’s life through two fundamental virtues: humility and social service, as the true foundation of priesthood as taught by the Lord Christ and lived by the apostles.

️ First: Humility in the Life of the Priest

• Humility is the virtue on which the Lord Christ focused when He said: “Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,” and it is the foundation of all spiritual service.

The priest is a servant and a father, not a dominating leader; his leadership is a

• The humble priest respects everyone: elders and young, children and youth, laypeople and servants, and shows courtesy in speech and gentleness in dealing with all.
• Humility appears in accepting criticism, readiness to admit mistakes, and not claiming infallibility or absolute correctness.
• Losing humility leads to domination, harsh administration, insistence on one opinion, and rejection of counsel, which harms the service and distances people.
• The humble priest is gentle, kind, polite in words, calm in voice, and preserves meekness in speech, behavior, appearance, and private life.

 Second: Humility in Relationship with Superiors and Colleagues

• Humility has two sides: with those who are lower and with those who are higher.
• The humble priest submits to his superiors with respect and does not rebel because of popularity or the number of followers.
• He respects fellow priests, avoids competition, gives precedence to others in honor, and consults them in church matters.
• Inability to endure honor is more dangerous than inability to endure insult, because position may lead to pride if not met with humility.

 Third: The Priest and Social Service

• The lecture warns against focusing only on projects, buildings, and appearances while neglecting social service.
• Social service is a foundation of judgment in the words of Christ, who considered the poor and needy as His own person.
• Caring for the poor is a spiritual duty and includes the poor, the needy, the destitute, and the dignified families who suffer in silence.
• Neglecting the needy may lead them to deviation or loss of belonging.
• Service is not limited to financial giving, but includes mercy, compassion, respect, and follow-up until the problem is resolved.
• Forms of service include medical support, surgical operations, vocational training, providing jobs, and enabling the needy to earn a living with dignity.
• The priest is called to give from his heart, through the Church, and with the participation of believers, not merely to ease his conscience, but to fulfill the mission of love.
• The true priest is a humble person in heart and conduct, a faithful servant to the needy, who sees in every poor person a brother of Christ, serving with love not authority, with compassion not harshness, and with humility that reflects the essence of the Gospel.

   

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