Hajja Salesjana

• It is sometimes sitting in a folding chair listening to your school kids singing Christmas songs. • It is sometimes standing by the bedside of a person drawing their last breath in this life. • It is sometimes being amazed that you are holding the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ at Mass. • It is sometimes feeling totally unworthy to do so. • It is sometimes being in the pulpit wondering if anyone is listening. • It is sometimes being in the pulpit being very aware that people are listening. • It is sometimes being the strong one in a room full of grieving people. • It is sometimes resting your head on your steering wheel trying to collect yourself after such moments. • It is sometimes the joy of a baptism. • It is sometimes the sorrow of a funeral. • It is sometimes eating a great meal at a parishioner's house. • It is sometimes getting to the end of the day trying to remember if you've eaten anything today. • It is sometimes the joy of helping the prodigal son come home. • It is sometimes the sorrow of watching a defiant prodigal son leave. • It is sometimes the hours of prayer which keep you afloat. • It is sometimes the pain of scandal which drags you down • It is sometimes getting up and knowing you are stepping on to a battlefield. • It is sometimes moments of incredible grace. • It is sometimes moments walking in the valley of death. • It is sometimes being respected. • It is sometimes being scorned. • It is sometimes speaking words of comfort. • It is sometimes speaking unwelcome words calling people to conversion. • It is sometimes being praised for your service. • It is sometimes being called every name in the book for telling the truth. • Lived correctly, it is always about being a servant in Persona Christi. • It is difficult but rewarding. • It is a constant call to give witness. • It is willingly being the poster child for being countercultural. • It is about dying to self intentionally every day. • It is about making God's grace available as much as possible. • It is not for the thin-skinned or faint of heart. • It is not for the worldly and ambitious. • It is not a job or a career. • It is a way of life. • I would have it no other way. What's it like being a priest these days Photo by Jordan Whitt - Unsplash.com 21 April - Ġunju 2023 hajja