What is the role of a priest as teacher?

I am deviating from my discussion on the sacraments to address an interesting situation I encountered the other day. At the end of Mass the other morning someone in the congregation began singing Immaculate Mary. This is not something we do every day after Mass rather something that happens completely randomly although it is always the same person in the congregation who begins the hymn (I do not know who it is and it doesn't matter). We don't have music at our daily Masses so its is rather odd to sing any songs. We do, however, sing Immaculate Mary at the end of Mass on Marian feast days and Saturdays in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mother. This has been a tradition in the Church for hundreds of years. After this Mass I told the people about the Church's tradition and that if we sang it every day then the hymn doesn't have any significance. I had about a dozen persons come to me in the sacristy after the Mass to thank me because they had felt the same. It wasn't these people but another person that came in the next day that compelled me to write this blog entry.

This person entered the sacristy after the Mass and proceeded to tell me that I had no right to dictate when and what we sing at the Mass. When I explained that I was simply informing everyone of the Church's tradition with singing a Marian hymn she responded by telling me, among other things, that it wasn't my place to be telling people what do do. She then proceeded to state that she was tired of priests who felt that they needed to 'set people straight' about the world and what the people are doing wrong. She gave the example of a priest who had given a homily about how we've come to ignore the presence of Satan in the world and that our doing this was a empowering Satan. She said this priest didn't have the right to chastise people for their thinking. Then, she had the audacity to challenge me on my homily about the reasons for the lack of reverence in the Real Presence....how ironic. According to her, I had no right to 'scold' the people for how they receive the Eucharist or what we are doing that is effecting our reverence.

As she was lecturing me, I repeatedly pointed out that it IS the responsibility of the priest to teach the people even if that includes pointing out our shortcomings and those things we are doing that go against the will of God (notice I used 'us' and 'we'). I asked her what she thought priests should be teaching the people. She replied that we should be teaching of God's love and mercy and forgiveness to which I replied that we do that as well. Again, she returned to priests having the audacity of criticizing the people. I stated that when I give my homilies I ALWAYS include myself and make that clear often times by specifically saying so. So we went back and forth for about ten minutes with her theme continuing to be that it is not my place to tell her how to live, what to do or not to do and what a person is doing wrong. Our conversation ended when she told me that I was a bad priest and that God would judge me on the Last Day for my actions today and in my 'teachings.' The conversation basically ended because I told her I was offended at that comment and that our conversation was over.

Now, my biggest issue here is not with the singing of a Marian hymn or when we do it. In fact, it isn't even something I would list as an issue at all. My issue is with her belief that a priest has no right to tell the faithful they are sinful persons or that there are things we are not doing that we should. I am not even taking issue with her. It is this belief that it is that my 'place' as a priest is to preach the Gospel message and celebrate the sacraments not to preach the errors of the faithful that I have issue with. I have a VERY strong opinion about this belief, which is not unique to only this lady but is becoming a common issue brought up to other priests as well. I have some deep convictions as to what I see as being the role of the priest toward the people. However, before I give my thoughts I would like to hear your thoughts. I am curious as to what you think the role of the priest is as a shepherd of his people and what form their role should take as a teacher of the faith. I look forward to your comments and I will post my thoughts in my next blog entry. Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 14:34 | link | comments (4) |
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Comments:

#1  09 July 2008 - 18:14

 

As you've presented it, that lady is totally wrong. There's enough wishy-washyness in the Church and in the world, it's a breath of fresh air when a Priest addresses Catholicism head-on.

Priests usually shy away from drawing a line in the sand on any topic besides abortion (not that abortion is an unworthy topic!). Frankly Father, the few times I've been able to join daily Mass at PoP-- I've really come to appreciate your friendly-yet-tidy approach to the Mass.

IMHO, the daily Mass basically taken the role of the old "Low Mass," a simple and businesslike offering that is prettiest when it sits unadorned or belabored. It is seperate from the "High Mass" or full celebration of Sunday morning-- complete with the singing choir!

Yet I would respectfully disagree with your statement that honoring the Blessed Virgin daily would detract from her larger feasts, but that's probably just a matter of style rather than substance. Like you say: that's not really the issue here.

A priest not only has the right to correct and teach his congregation, he has the duty to do so. We all have that duty! Admonishing sinners and instructing the ignorant are Spiritual Works of Mercy-- even if no one uses that term any more.

Yet still there are other Spiritual Works of Mercy like to forgive offences willingly and to pray for the living and the dead-- to which we could all be reminded from time to time.

So for this woman, I'll offer:
Ave... Pater... Gloria... Amen.

Blessings,
Joe

gjwalberg

#2  09 July 2008 - 18:19

 

One more comment: priests, while held to the rubrics of the Mass, have the ability to dictate liturgical decisions like that.

Laity do not. The Church does not (or should not, anyway) make liturgical decisions based on the whims or votes of the laity. The Church is a kind of monarchy, not a democracy. Perhaps she's thinking of the Methodists?

gjwalberg

#3  10 July 2008 - 10:20

 

My goodness... I suppose even the simplest form of human respect is gone from this lady's radar as well? I can't imagine speaking to anyone in such as manner-- priest, officer, judge, parent, or neighbor!

As for the priest's role as teacher... Absolutely! If anyone doubts this-- just look to the letters of Saint Paul. He does the sticky job of admonishing the faithful. It needs to be done. We cannot become complacent in our faith.

That's not to say it's only the priest who can do this. As a previous commentor posted, we are all called to the Spiritual Works of Mercy, which includes admonishing sinners and instructing the ignorant. I think our society has become so afraid of offending people that they won't say anything to anyone-- even if it'll help them. I mean, even parents refuse to involve themselves. It used to be the case that the neighborhood mom had just as much of a right to scold a child as that child's own mother. Not so anymore.

But, I think it is especially a priest's job to instruct, admonish, and love the people. He is the shepard of his flock, responsible for the souls of his parishoners. He is the spiritual father and it is his duty to take care of his children and his family.

I still can't believe the audacity of someone to come up to you and say such things, Father.

--Kayla

Anonymous

#4  10 July 2008 - 12:08

 

Teach, Preach, & Pray Father. Our parish priest had a good line a few days ago. The role of a prophet is to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable. Realize that in a parish as big as yours, you will have to deal with people who are not all there or who are difficult to deal with. Obviously your role is to teach, admonish, and encourage that’s why the faithful call you Father. If you aren’t doing that you aren’t being a Father.

If the lady wants to honor Mary after Mass ask her to lead a Rosary and help her get it started by letting the daily Mass congregation know that a Rosary will be led after Mass. But let those who want to “Go In Peace To Love & Serve the Lord” get out the door first. Those prayers of that Rosary will do the faithful much more good than a rogue wannabe cantor.

John 6:54

Anonymous

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