Praying for priests
In a few days we will begin the dawn Masses or simbang gabi; our priests can use more prayers from the faithful during this season when their days become more hectic than usual. Indeed, as we have heard some of our priests lament, between dawn and night Masses, there is hardly any time left for deep reflection in order to prepare edifying homilies to feed the Lord’s sheep. So, in gratitude to God and in fulfillment of a Christian’s duty we share their burden by praying and offering sacrifices for them. Since the earliest days of Christianity, the people of God have always been praying for priests. Acts 12:2-5 says, “He put Peter in prison, assigning four squads of four soldiers each to guard him in turn… All the time Peter was under guard the Church of God prayed for him unremittingly.” In Thessalonians 5:25, Paul concludes his inspired letter thus, “Pray for us, my brothers.” The first pope (Peter) needed prayers then; the present pope (Francis) needs prayers