Wednesday of the
Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
(Romans 6:12-18; Luke 12:39-48)
St. Augustine told his flock, “With you I am a Christian,
for you I am a bishop. The second fills me with terror, the first, with great
consolation.” The fear flowed from the responsibility he had to guide his diocese. He knew that God would judge him harshly if
he failed to discharge his duties or if he used the episcopacy for his own gain. It goes without saying that Augustine took
note of the gospel passage we read today.
In the passage Jesus warns his apostles that they are
susceptible to a stricter judgment than others.
Because he has taught them himself, they can have no excuse for abusing their
authority. Bishops like Augustine are
the successors of those apostles with the same responsibility of guiding the Church. Priests do not share the fullness of the
apostolic mandate, but they are likewise well tutored in the gospels. Both bishops and priests can expect stiff
punishment if they fail to give judicious pastoral care.
Sometimes in hearing the Eucharistic Prayer we may wonder
why the clergy are given special mention.
Some priests, you may have noticed, change the wording to include all
ministers or all people. Surely this is excusable. But it is charity that moves us to pray especially
for bishops, priests, and deacons. They bear
grave responsibility which if not handled well will leave their people in jeopardy.
