Why not us?!?

We priests and pastors are exhorting, almost daily, the daylights out of our sheep, isn't it time we take the bull by the horns and do a little repenting ourselves?

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

To write or not to write?

Dear Friends and Brother Priests,

For some time the urge has been forming within me to put on paper my thoughts, desires, maybe even a few complaints, and certainly an admission that I need to repent and be converted.  In a similar vein, I've wanted to be more in touch with priests about the most critical aspect of our calling: holiness.  Our Lord has given me and you this task, a very simple one; and because a most challenging one, we often leave it to others to embrace.   

The title, "priestsrepent!" has turned out, rather nicely, to be both an exhortation and an observation; "You mean priests really do call on each other to live the gospel? Priests really do repent?" In my years as a priest, it has become more and more evident that the good life was not that of our parishioners, but of those who promised and vowed to live a simple and poor life. Rather than being filled with the words and grace of Christ, I preferred the sickly, crass food of the world. Rather than feed the poor, hungry sheep who endure my often empty words, I have fed myself the milk intended for the lambs.  Under fed and under nourished.  Lord, please have mercy on me, a sinner!

I'll leave it at that.  I hope you find this site and the emerging links helpful and encouraging to receive and pass on our Lord's cherished words.  I look forward to hearing from you!

In God's Great Love, Father Fran