The Holy Prophet Nahum (7th century BC)
Nativity Fast
1 Timothy 3:1-13; Luke 16:1-9
Read 1 Timothy 3:1-13
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
At this point in Paul’s letter to Timothy, he wishes to dwell on the traits of ministry within the Church. Ministry within the Church is always directed so as to build up the Body of Christ so that she in turn may fulfil her cooperation in the mission of her Head and Saviour in ministering in and to the world, reconciling all to the Father, that is, put simply, the salvation of souls. Upon reading the list of traits, one could easily recognize that these are traits and virtues to which all Christians should strive. For the office of bishop (more on that below) and deacon, at least (and we find the same for presbyter in other letters of Paul), the person should excel, be a shining example to all the Christian community.
When we read the word bishop, we may tend to think of the bishops we know today. In the early years, this term, bishop (derived from the Greek word, episkopos, meaning overseer), probably belonged to a board of elders that oversaw a community in its growth. We can understand them to be more like the parish priests we know today. It wasn’t until the early second century that we have a single person in the role of what we now know and experience as a bishop.
Today, formation of our parish priests is usually accomplished in a seminary program. That program is directed by instructive documents issued by our own Synod of Bishops, the Holy Father in conjunction with a number of offices in Rome, and also by the local national group of Bishops—in Canada, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), and in the USA, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
The qualities sought from those preparing to be priests today:
Of special importance is the capacity to relate to others. This is truly fundamental for a person who is called to be responsible for a community and to be a “man of communion.” This demands that the priest not be arrogant, or quarrelsome, but affable, hospitable, sincere in his words and heart, prudent and discreet, generous and ready to serve, capable of opening himself to clear and brotherly relationships and of encouraging the same in others, and quick to understand, forgive and console (cf. 1 Timothy 3:1-5; Titus 1:7-9). People today are often trapped in situations of standardization and loneliness, especially in large urban centres, and they become ever more appreciative of the value of communion. Today this is one of the most eloquent signs and one of the most effective ways of transmitting the Gospel message. (John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation Pastores dabo vobis [I will give you shepherds] (March 25, 1992), 43.)