Devotion to Jesus: the way the Lord honors priests

The way the Lord honors priests

So listen, my armies and my angels! I chose priests above angels and other men and gave them the power to consecrate my body and touch it. If I had wished, I could have entrusted such a function to the angels, but I love priests so much that I have raised them to such an honor and ordained them to be present before me, arranged in seven levels. They had to be patient like sheep, constant as walls with stable foundations, full of life and generous as soldiers, wise as serpents, modest as virgins, pure as angels, animated by an ardent love like that of a bride approaching a nuptial bed. Now, they have turned away from me wickedly, they are as wild as wolves stealing sheep, unbeatable in hunger and greed. They do not honor anyone and are not ashamed of anyone. Second, they are as fickle as the stones of a ruined wall, because they distrust the foundation, that is, their God, as if he could not meet their needs or would not want to feed and support them. Thirdly, they have sunk and have been enveloped in darkness, like robbers walking in the blindness of their vices. They do not have the courage of soldiers at all, necessary to fight for the honor and glory of God, nor do they have the generosity needed to perform heroic deeds. Fourthly, they become lazy like asses keeping their heads down: likewise they are foolish and foolish because they always think about worldly things, without turning their minds to heaven and future things. Fifth, they are as impudent as courtesans: they walk before me insolently in their irrelevant clothes and all their limbs express their lust. Sixth, they are filthy as pitch: all who come near them are clouded and smeared. In the seventh place, they are abominable ... Only certain priests approach me with dissimulation, as if they were traitors, However I, who am God and Lord of all creatures in heaven as on earth, go to meet them; after the priest has pronounced the words This is my body on the altar, before him I am true God and true man. I hasten towards my ministers like a bridegroom in love, to try and taste together with them the sacred pleasures of my divinity; but alas, I find no place in their heart. Listen again, my friends, how much dignity I confer on priests above angels and men: I have given them the power to do five things: bind and loosen on earth and in heaven; to transform my enemies into friends of God, and sinful demons into virtuous angels; preach my word; consecrate and sanctify my body, which no angel can do; touch my body, which none of you would dare to do. ' Book IV, 133