What Do People Want from the Priest

The General Message of the Lecture

This lecture explains what people expect from the priest in his life and service, not only in teaching or visitation, but in being a living spiritual example and a constant source of blessing that people feel in every interaction with him.

First: The Priest as a Spiritual Example

People want the priest to be an example in every good work, an example in mercy, good deeds, gentleness, and humility of heart. True example is not in anger or harshness, but in meekness and love, as our Lord Jesus Christ taught: “Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.”

Second: The Priest as a Source of Blessing

People expect the priest to be a blessing to them and to their homes, so that they feel goodness and peace when he enters their house. His prayer is considered a blessing, his visit a blessing, and even his word, signature, or anything that comes from him is regarded as a blessing.

Third: Blessing in Prayer and Visitation

In times of distress, illness, exams, and troubles, people seek the priest’s prayer as a prayer of blessing. They believe that God works through their faith in prayer, not because of the priest’s personal worthiness.

Fourth: The Priest’s Responsibility toward This Faith

This great faith places a great responsibility on the priest, to be careful in his words and judgments, and to ensure that his mouth is a mouth of blessing, not condemnation, because “the mouth that blesses does not curse.”

Fifth: Blessing in Church Tradition

Blessing is deeply rooted in biblical and church tradition, from the blessings of the fathers in the Old Testament to the role of the priest in the Coptic Church today, where his name has always been associated with granting blessings and righteous prayers.

Conclusion

People want the priest to live as a moving blessing:
His hand is a blessing,
His prayer is a blessing,
His word is a blessing,
And his presence is a source of peace, consolation, and goodness to everyone he meets.

For better translation support, please contact the center.