Summary
Highlights
Father Mike begins by emphasizing that the conference and his session are not about him, but about the attendees, highlighting their inherent worth in God's eyes. He uses the Sign of the Cross to illustrate God's belief in each person's immeasurable value, stating that the cross traces one's 'price tag' – the very life and death of Jesus.
Father Mike shares the inspiring story of Father Ben, a priest from his diocese. Father Ben, a dedicated Catholic from a young age, was known for his aggressive Catholic evangelism in college, which later matured into loving service. Despite facing multiple strokes at a young age, leaving him with significant disabilities, Father Ben's unwavering commitment to his parishioners and his priestly duties exemplifies the true heart of the priesthood.
Father Mike explains that a priest's primary roles are to offer sacrifice and reconcile people to God. These two tasks, rooted in the Old Testament priesthood, are essential because humanity is created for worship and is prone to wander, requiring both divine offering and reconciliation.
He delves into the symbolism of priestly vestments, starting with the white alb, which signifies a priest's baptism and identity as a beloved child of God. He then discusses the stole, emphasizing that it symbolizes the authority to serve and to work, not to rule. He highlights the tradition of priests kissing the stole before wearing it, reminiscent of Jesus embracing his cross, signifying a commitment to lay down one's life for others.
Father Mike explains the meaning of the chasuble, the outermost vestment. He recounts an encounter where a non-Catholic asked what made him 'special' for wearing the robes, and he clarified that the robes are meant to obscure the priest and emphasize Jesus. When a priest performs sacraments, it is Jesus himself acting through the priest.
He outlines three senses of vocation: the universal call to holiness (to be a saint), the specific call (marriage, priesthood, religious life), and the daily call (what God asks of you today). He clarifies that when discerning a personal vocation, the focus should be on the primary relationship through which God will transform an individual into the person they are meant to be.
The central message culminates in the idea that the heart of the priesthood is fatherhood. He cautions against idolizing spiritual fathers, moving through demonization, and hopefully reaching a place of humanizing them, recognizing them as men striving to love like God amidst their own weaknesses. He returns to Father Ben's story, emphasizing that even in severe limitations, Father Ben's continued offering of his life and reconciliation of people makes him a true priest and a powerful example of real fatherhood.