ON BEING A PASTOR-#1

Once upon a time every priest hoped to become a pastor. The Bishop entrusted this ministry to a priest after many years of seasoning. A priest who gave loyal and dedicated service got a good parish. In time, if a pastor did well, he moved up and received a plumb.

One pastor got a rep for being hospitable to other priests. Another was known for his ability to captain the ship, administer the finances, and oversee the parish plant. Still another was admired for being pious, disciplined, and holy. Or he was learned. Or he was dedicated to the sick, and the dying, the poor, the distressed, and the down and out. A handful of exceptional pastors became the Bishop's confidants.

One thing was clear. In the era when rectories housed three and four priests, the pastor was boss. When he spoke, curates jumped. Laity prayed, paid, and obeyed. If he excelled, perks came his way. He even became Monsignor.

No doubt this is a caricature, a blending of a 1940s Catholic novel and a 1950s Hollywood film. For years the pastor was in charge of buildings and a turf. The 1983 Code of Canon Law of the western, Latin Church shifts emphasis. Canon 515 states: "A parish is a definite community of the Christian faithful..; the pastoral care of the parish is entrusted to a pastor as its own shepherd under the authority of the diocesan bishop."

A pastor is a shepherd. A shepherd knows each member of the flock. He leaves ninety-nine and seeks out the lost sheep. He cares about and for each sheep and is solicitous for the entire sheepfold. A shepherd is warm and intimate, tender and kind. He sacrifices for the sheep and is willing to lay down his life for them. The Catholic pastor is a man involved with and connected with people.

Christian tradition conjures up wonderful images. The pastor is a disciple. He serves tables and washes feet. He does not dominate his sisters and brothers. Instead, he fosters a discipleship of equals, of partners, and of companions.

Canon 528, section 1, states the pastor's duty."A pastor is obliged to see to it that the word of God in its entirety is announced to those living in the parish... He is to see to it that the lay Christian faithful are instructed in the truths of the faith, especially through the homily...given on Sundays and holy days of obligation and through the catechetical formation which he is to give. He is to foster works by which the spirit of the gospel, including issues involving social justice, is promoted. He is to take special care for the Catholic education of children and young adults. He is to make every effort with the aid of the Christian faithful, to bring the gospel message to those who have ceased practicing their religion or who do not profess the true faith."

The pastor's job is clear. He is dedicated to the word of God. He loves the Bible and cultivates holy wisdom and the Bible's prophetic imagination. He teaches as Jesus did. He sedulously prepares the Sunday homily he will preach. He instructs by forming the heart and tutoring the intellect.