The tenth of the Sacred Heart promises stands out as a unique one, not given to all the Catholic faithful but specifically to priests: “I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.” As the chaplain of the First Friday Friars Men's Catholic fellowship, who is dedicating this year to the Sacred Heart of Our Lord, I feel personally compelled to reflect on this powerful promise.
The
role of parish priests is profound, with a pastoral responsibility that
includes teaching the faith and proclaiming Sacred Scripture. It is an immense
blessing to be called to serve God and His people in this way, but it also
comes with a weighty responsibility. As a believer called to teach God's flock,
I must do so with fidelity, integrity and constancy. St. James reminds us in
the third chapter of his letter: “Not
many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach
will be judged with greater strictness.” This passage brings to
light the gravity of our vocation as priests.
We
priests have been blessed with many gifts to fulfill this sacred calling.
First,
God has gifted us with the grace of discernment and personal conviction,
allowing us to recognize that this call is indeed from Him. And as we seek Him
in embracing this vocation, we are assured of His ongoing embrace of peace and
purpose at work in us.
Second,
we are blessed with Christian communities, families and friends that support,
encourage and uplift us. These communities mirror the sense of our vocation in
the Church, providing us with affirmation, prayer and continual support.
Third,
our seminary formation equips us with the spiritual, theological, pastoral and
practical tools we need to serve God and His people. We are blessed with
committed professors deeply rooted in faith and know how to impart their wisdom
to those in formation. We are also blessed with fellow seminarians who, in
community together, share alike in their sense of call, growth, dedication and
purpose.
Fourth,
through our diaconal and priestly ordination, we receive an indelible
sacramental mark of the Holy Spirit, forming us into pastors called to gather,
serve and care for God’s flock. This gift of grace through the indwelling of
the Holy Spirit continues through ongoing formation and the interior conversion
we undergo as we serve His Church.
But
it is in the tenth
promise of the Sacred Heart that we find something uniquely powerful. “I will give to priests the gift of
touching the most hardened hearts.” This divine charism is
something every priest must seek. As vicars of Christ, we are called to follow
in His footsteps—our Savior who touched the hearts of even the most hardened
sinners. Through devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we are imbued with His
compassion, His grace and His profound reach into the human soul.
Reflecting on this promise, I return to St. James’ admonition: “We who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” If I am to face judgment for my priestly service, I pray that I may embrace my vocation through the lens of Jesus’ Sacred Heart. With this great gift of grace at work in my priesthood, my deepest prayer is not just to meet God’s judgment but to fulfill His divine expectations in the conducting of my ministry. How wonderful it is that through a priest’s vocation, even the most hardened hearts can be touched by the saving grace of Jesus Christ!
Considering
this beautiful promise, I invite my brother priests, and all who participate in
ministry, to reflect on the immense grace bestowed upon us. Through the Sacred
Heart, we are empowered to fulfill this holy mission—to touch hearts, transform
lives and, ultimately, to bring souls to Christ.
I
also entreat you, my fellow Friars, to continue to pray for me, and for all our
priests, deacons, and Bishops, that we may fulfill our Lord's calling by deeply
touching the hearts of all whom we serve.
Fr.
Glenn Baaten
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