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Writing about the Priesthood during the Eucharistic Revival now occurring within the Church quite naturally focuses my mind on the intimate tie between the Eucharist and the priest. Catholic Christians believe that the Eucharist is the “Source and Summit of the Christian life.” The Eucharist, Holy Communion, is recognized as holding such an exalted place in our Church and life of faith because it is, after all, Our Lord Jesus Christ himself. The Word made flesh, the Eternal Son of the Eternal Father becomes present, via the miracle of Transubstantiation, on the altar table each time we celebrate Mass. Jesus Christ himself — Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity — comes to be with us under the appearances of bread and wine.
The sublime honor bestowed upon every ordained priest is to be empowered to serve as the minister who represents Christ himself and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, effects the change of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The priest stands in the place of Christ among his people making Christ himself present right there in their midst.
The role of the priest is thus to further unite humanity and divinity, heaven and earth. Then-Pope, now St. John Paul II called the priest a “bridge” between Christ and his people. He does that most exceptionally during the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Mass but also in so many other ways. I have had the opportunity to be present to two very different moments of priestly bridge building over the past week or so.
The first experience of bridge building between Christ and his people occurred at a funeral Mass. During the Mass, the priest was called upon to unite people who were grieving at a particularly difficult moment of their lives with Jesus Christ, the Supreme Source of hope and comfort. The priest was called upon to give voice to the sorrows, emptiness, and doubt of the people before the Lord, while at the same time, assuring those people, in the name of Christ, that the Savior who died and rose to save humanity was eternally, assuredly, and unconditionally with them and their deceased love one. The supreme love of God is given voice among his beloved people through the ministry of the priest.
The second experience of priestly bridge building, connecting God with his people and vice versa, occurred at a Vocations Volleyball game at the Cathedral. Perhaps this is less of a classic example of heaven and earth coming together, but as I reflected upon the experience, I realized that that is exactly what was going on there. The priests were present bringing their humanity and manifestation of Christian community, along with their time, talent (some of them were pretty good volleyball players!), and faith to a group of young people and their families — the message was that Christ is present and loving them at every moment — at play, work, wins, losses, and so on. Another example of the supreme love of God being made manifest among his beloved people.
And so to all the guys out there — please consider the amazing call that Jesus may be bringing to you. Might you offer your life — your time, talent, and faith to further the bridge building between God and his people. The Lord who brings love, comfort, consolation, and joy among his people wills to do that through you! Parents, grandparents, friends — might you have a young man among you who God might be calling to carry his presence, love, and message more deeply to his people? At Mass, and during volleyball games, in the sacraments and schools, at home and work and at play, we need the Lord so much; could it be you, or your sons, grandsons, or friends who further carry our Lord to a world which so desperately needs him? Please pray about it.
Msgr. Fell is a Scripture scholar and director, diocesan Office for Priest Personnel
