The distinctive individual to my left is my priest. A source of great comfort to myself and my family. Your priests serve as far more than mouthpieces for the gospel, they live it. They are celibate as a sacrifice so that they can focus on others instead of themselves as Jesus did. Father has my admiration, my love, and my compassion, it was that one dark night in ICU that my soul was delivered from the bowels of hell and the demons chased back to the darkness - only to peek out or howl to me on occasion, but now keeping their distance from me. I have made a huge leap in my faith as well. I have gone from just being scared about the punishment from my sins in purgatory, to now being very concerned about the effect that they have on separating my guardian angel and my lord from my person. Once you know that purgatory is true, and that the sacrament of Last Rites is efficacious - you are stuck in a moral quandary. If the Catholic Church is telling the truth and their solutions are surely effective (I know we all don't get a test drive) then what do you do...? I signed back up, and renewed my membership in the universal church by accepting Jesus's selection of me as a member. Especially after I found that all the sacraments brought the intended relief, and that they mystery of the Catholic Church was surmounted only by it's majesty and unbroken succession to Jesus Christ himself through Peter - the rock on which Jesus has stated he would build his church. If you see this priest or any other, you need to throw your arms around them and than them for the sacrifices that they make for you everyday in their lives. Remember, that the Catholic church is universal - if you are in a low place and not getting the help or relief you need - you can always still call a "real priest". Your Catholic Priest - Don't Leave Earth without his Blessing!
Labels: Catholic, Catholicism, Priest, Salvation