The Priest’s Spirituality
The Priest’s Spirituality
Its Importance and Its Seriousness
The father–priest is not merely a source of activity in the Church, nor merely a storehouse of information, nor merely leadership and administration, but before all else he is spirit… an example, and a light.
The mistake of a priest is far more serious than the mistake of a layperson.
That is why the priest, when offering the Lamb oblation, prays saying: “Grant that it be acceptable for my sins and the ignorances of Your people.” For he considered the sins of the people as ignorances. But for himself they cannot be called ignorance, because “the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts” (Mal. 2:7).
How serious is the mistake that comes from someone considered an example!
He is one of those to whom Christ said: “You are the light of the world…” (Matt. 5:14). And He also said: “You are the salt of the earth,” and followed with: “But if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” (Matt. 5:13). How difficult this last phrase is, and how deep its pain in the soul.
The priest’s mistake is considered a stumbling block to the people.
It may be attributed to the whole Church, or even to the faith itself.
For many people do not distinguish between the faith and its ministers… At the very least they will say: “This is the Church and its clergy!!” or “This is Orthodoxy and its leaders!!” Thus the priest’s mistake extends to a very wide circle…
The priest’s mistake is dangerous because he is a steward of the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 4:1),
and he is an ambassador for the Lord (2 Cor. 5:20). And the Lord says about him: “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?” (Luke 12:42). Meaning: he is the one who gives spiritual nourishment to the people… If this steward and ambassador becomes a stumbling block, how will people view the faith in practice?!
The priest’s mistake is dangerous because he is supposed to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
For if being full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom is a condition for deacons (Acts 6:3), how much more for priests, who also receive the Holy Spirit at ordination through the laying on of hands and the holy breath (John 20:22). The Holy Spirit works in them and grants them the authority to forgive sins (John 20:23)…
As much as people look to the priest as an example, so great will his faults or shortcomings appear.
People see him as a living illustration of every virtue, a practical model of every commandment. Naturally, when the people choose someone to be ordained a priest, they choose the best workers in the congregation—those most spiritual, competent, and knowledgeable… If this “best” one errs, how great is the stumbling block then?! “If the light that is in you is darkness…”!!
People cannot imagine that a priest would sin!
They say: impossible for such a thing to happen! He is our spiritual father and teacher, from whom we learn virtue and the path of the spirit. He is Christ’s steward on earth… He is the one who stands at the altar, consecrates the mysteries, gives Communion, and hears confessions… Thus the people become extremely sensitive toward whatever word or action proceeds from the priest, measuring it with a scale of gold…
As for outsiders, the mistake of the priest harms the entire Church.
The mistake of an ordinary person may be overlooked. But the mistake of a leader affects everyone, making them ashamed before others.
When David sinned, although he was not a priest but the Lord’s anointed for governance, Nathan the prophet said to him from the Lord concerning his punishment: “Because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme…” (2 Sam. 12:14). Even if they do not blaspheme, at least they marvel and are astonished…
Especially the obvious sins such as anger and misuse of the tongue.
For it is expected that the priest’s tongue overflow with blessing, overflow with knowledge, and utter words of life… If an unbefitting word proceeds from him, what will people say?! And if he becomes angry in a manner no one expects, what will its effect be on the people?! And can he then stand on the pulpit and speak about the virtues of meekness and gentleness?!
There is an important remark we must say frankly:
The great care and preparedness required in approaching Communion.
Laypeople prepare for Communion with great care and precision, with repentance and confession. If they are not in a spiritually fitting state, they postpone receiving Communion as unworthy…
But the priest is obliged to commune every Sunday or whenever he serves. He cannot cancel the Liturgy claiming he is not ready or not repentant…! So how then will he stand at the altar, serve, and commune?
Is it not true in practice that he must commune regardless of any spiritual obstacles?
Truly, how serious this matter is!!
Therefore it is the priest’s duty to be continually prepared for the divine mysteries, continually watchful in his spiritual life… I do not wish to enter into the many detailed aspects of this topic.
And the phrase “I have sinned, forgive me,” which he says in every Liturgy—does he say it from his heart, or merely as a routine phrase? If asked, “In what have you sinned?” perhaps he would find no answer…
The Prayer of Preparation
For this reason the holy Church wisely set the Prayer of Preparation, said by the priest as he spreads the altar before the Liturgy, saying:
“O Lord, who knows the heart of every person, the holy One who rests in His saints, the only One without sin, able to forgive sins… You, O Lord, know that I am unworthy, unprepared, and unfit for this holy service which is Yours. I do not have the boldness to stand before Your most holy glory. But according to the multitude of Your compassions forgive me, a sinner, and grant me mercy in this hour, that I may begin, prepare, and complete…”
Let us all pray this prayer from the depths of our hearts…
Let us not be content merely with avoiding sins and negatives, but let us grow in the fruits of the Spirit and in the life of purity and perfection, becoming possessors of spiritual experience that benefits our children in their spiritual journey.
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