12.06.2006

Manifesting the chief Shepherd

Father Al Kimel has posted an excellent, extended quote from Pope John Paul II. Click HERE to read it.

My reflections on this topic were a motivating factor in my conversion to the Catholic Church. I hope you will take the time to read and reflect on the quote at Pontifications.

Here is a sample: "...priests are called to prolong the presence of Christ, the one high priest, embodying his way of life and making him visible in the midst of the flock entrusted to their care... In the Church and on behalf of the Church, priests are a sacramental representation of Jesus Christ — the head and shepherd — authoritatively proclaiming his word, repeating his acts of forgiveness and his offer of salvation..."

Pastoral ministry is a very high calling and as the Scriptures tell us, worthy of double honour. Because the role is so very important, we ought to give extreme care making sure that we are submitting ourselves to those who have been properly called by Christ to represent Him.

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