To the Priest Eddy Abi-Younes

Our Ascetic tradition recommends to the novice monk to flee from two: the bishop and the woman. Can we, priests, accept this recommendation as well? If our life consisted of obedience and ministry, how would it be for us? We have its spirit. Our ministry, or any other ministry, cannot be right without fleeing, fleeing from fawning over the great people in the world, and from any perverted relationship… Do you see in the recommendation a fear of the trade-off between the episcopacy and the monastic life? In any case, the holy orders are not a ladder leading upwards. The priesthood consists of gifts. Moreover, celibacy is a lifelong decision that is to be renewed, on a daily basis. I have nothing to tell you other than what we see in you. Be the way you are, a friend of Jesus and His brethren. Do not covet another glory for yourself! Forget about yourself. Do not even recall the date of your ordination. Do not celebrate it, nor expect anyone to remember it. Complete thus your rushing towards the face of “He Who is coming”, and hope, when He raises you up to Himself, that He will proclaim, before the angels and the saints, that you were an icon of Him in your ministry! Worthy!