The Dignity and Challenge of the Priesthood

What does it mean to be a priest today? In this episode, Gomer and Dave reflect on the beauty and burden of the priesthood—its spiritual power, real-world challenges, and the call to bold, Christ-centered leadership. With insights and wisdom from Pope Benedict, we explore how priests can renew their role as shepherds—and how we, as laypeople, can support them in their mission.

Understanding the Role of the Priest

Gomer and Dave delve into the heart of the priesthood, exploring its spiritual depth and immense responsibility. Dave reflects, “I've encountered the Lord in so many priests... it's a whole life, and that whole life, it's meant to be another Christ.” This captures the true nature of the priesthood: not a job, but a way of life rooted in representing Christ to the faithful.

Gomer expands on this by reminding listeners that “the one priesthood of Christ is made present through the ministerial priesthood only. Christ is the true priest, the others being only his ministers.” Priests, then, are not merely leaders or teachers—they are sacramental signs of Christ's ongoing presence in His Church.

Modern Challenges of the Priesthood

Despite their central role, priests today face mounting challenges. One major issue, as Dave notes, is the frequent reassignment of priests from parish to parish. “I've never once seen a statistic that shows that [priestly movement] is a positive thing,” he says. This constant shuffling disrupts relationships, stifles long-term spiritual growth, and weakens parish unity.

Added to this is the ongoing shadow of the sexual abuse scandal, which has created a climate of mistrust and fear. In some cases, this leads priests to withdraw rather than engage. Yet, there are powerful reminders of what priestly presence can be. Dave shares a moving story of a priest who brought adoration to his deck during a time of personal difficulty—a quiet but profound act of Christ’s presence through his priest.

The Call for Strong Spiritual Leadership

The Church needs priests who are deeply rooted in God. Pope Benedict XVI once said, “If the priest is a man of God, he cannot fail to cultivate a deep intimacy with God... Prayer is the first form of witness which awakens vocations.” In a noisy world, priests are called to first be men of prayer, witnessing to the presence of God not just in words, but in the quality of their lives.

They are also called to teach courageously. Gomer emphasizes, “Just teach the faith.” At a time when clarity and conviction are so desperately needed, this kind of leadership—faithful, articulate, and bold—can transform parishes and inspire vocations.

Conclusion: A Shared Responsibility

As laypeople, we share the responsibility of supporting our priests. They are human, they struggle, and they need our prayers and encouragement. But they are also vessels of God’s grace, charged with the sacred task of shepherding his people.

Gomer and Dave invite us to lift our expectations—to hope for priests who are deeply committed to Christ, courageous in their witness, and unafraid to speak the truth in love. The future of the Church depends on it. Together, clergy and laity can build up a Church rooted in truth, united in mission, and alive in the Spirit.