love your pastor
"So well disposed were we to you, in fact, that we wanted to share with you not only God's tidings but our very lives, so dear had you become to us." —1 Thessalonians 2:8
What is the proper relationship between you and your pastor?
PRAYER — If your pastor is a Catholic priest, he has committed himself to pray for the Church, including you, at daily Mass and at least five other times each day in the Liturgy of the Hours. In turn, you should pray for him by name daily (see Heb 13:17-18).
WORK — Your pastor's primary work is to teach (see Mt 23:2; Mal 2:6-8; Acts 6:4; Vatican II, On Priests, 4, 6). You are obligated to share in this teaching ministry by learning the faith, witnessing for Jesus (Acts 1:8), and teaching the faith at home or elsewhere (see Acts 5:42).
SPEECH — Your pastor has the responsibility to correct you (1 Thes 5:14) by speaking the truth in love (Eph 4:15). You have the responsibility to encourage him (Heb 13:17) and to avoid gossip, which is spiritually like a cancer in the Christian community.
OBEDIENCE — If your pastor is in unity with the Church, "do everything and observe everything" he tells you (Mt 23:3). Likewise, your pastor should submit to the authority of those leading him. He must be under authority to be in authority in God's order.
SUFFERING —Your pastor is to find joy in the sufferings he endures for you or even from you (see Col 1:24). He should even do penance not only for his sins but also for your sins (Catechism, 1466). You also should suffer and sacrifice to support your pastor.
Love your pastor as you love the Church (Eph 5:25).
Prayer: Father, may I love ministerial priests and live my baptismal priesthood to the full (see 1 Pt 2:9).
Promise: "That is why we thank God constantly that in receiving His message from us you took it, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God at work within you who believe." —1 Thes 2:13
Praise: Praise Jesus, eternal High Priest and risen Lord!
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Richard L. Klug, April 10, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 18, 2002