This morning Pope Francis celebrated the Chrism Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. The Chrism Mass is the annual liturgy where the priests of a diocese gather around their bishop and the bishop blesses the oils and consecrates the chrism to be used throughout the liturgical year.
In his homily at Mass, Pope Francis reminded priests to let the Lord wash away their “weariness.” He called on priests to not give into the weariness that comes from their ministry, but to know that “people love their priests, they want and need their shepherds!”
Furthermore, Pope Francis acknowledged how difficult it can be to exercise one’s priestly vocation:
If the Lord is so concerned about helping us, it is because he knows that the task of anointing his faithful people is demanding; it can tire us…The tiredness of priests! Do you know how often I think about this weariness which all of you experience? I think about it and I pray about it, often, especially when I am tired myself. I pray for you as you labour amid the people of God entrusted to your care, many of you in lonely and dangerous places.
Later on Pope Francis tied the weariness of the priesthood to the washing of one’s feet. It is in the washing of one’s feet that Pope Francis sees the healing power of God at work, providing support to his weary shepherds:
The Lord washes us and cleanses us of all the dirt our feet have accumulated in following him. This is something holy. Do not let your feet remain dirty. Like battle wounds, the Lord kisses them and washes away the grime of our labours.
The full text of Pope Francis’ homily can be found at the Vatican Radio website.
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