Why Ireland Needs Priests
We have to ask why Ireland needs priests? We need hope, faith, love, values and the beauty of the divine. The words and teachings of Jesus given in the life and ministry of the priest bring hope to many.
In Christ, there can be seen the life of the dead or the answer to why someone is suffering from illness both mentally and physically. When the funeral occurs the power of the gospel and the reaching out of the priest leaves a deep impression in many cases. Often at the side of the infirm the power of Jesus can be seen from the Sacrament of the Sick. In this case, many in a family who have gone away from the faith, can be deeply struck by the majesty of the moment of anointing.
One of the central aspects of the life of the priest is to teach and preach. The values of the Lord in his teachings can be a challenge and a radical example to the Ireland we live in. Life, love, truth, compassion, thinking of others, mercy and so on, are the essence of the teachings of Christ that the priest will put words to in this hour of history. Some will reject these teachings but to others, they are a vital energy to how they conduct their lives and a signpost on the road of faith. In this case they will look to the priest in his ministry to give words from the Lord for them.
In this time, many people seek beauty and try to go to endless effort to achieve that goal. In the Liturgy we see true beauty. The different aspects of the Liturgical seasons; music, readings, colours and traditions, appeal in a profound way to the inner-eye of the soul for those who attend them. In the Mass there is something that cannot be found in all the lovely things of this world. At the altar the priest holds up the Lord and all around him is the beauty of tradition and the opening to heaven. The faithful find this so enriching, they know that it can only come from those called by Jesus to reflect him and to bring his Body and Blood to every altar.
Already in Ireland people will travel to a beautiful Liturgy to see the true majesty that is the essence of the Priesthood. The same can be said for Confession. The dispenser of God’s mercy is the priest who brings the ear, the heart and the love that Jesus has to offer the penitent. In all these cases Ireland truly needs priests to connect people to Christ so that he can reach out to them. For those who say we do not need priests, the Lord answers with his call so that he can firmly remain in the Ireland of today.