One of the promises that was drilled into me during my time in the seminary was the promise the ordained make when being ordained to the
My Spiritual Director informed me that this carries with it a “grave-responsibility.” That is to say that praying the Liturgy of the Hours is necessary for my salvation as a priest.
Whenever we say that something is gravely immoral, or that there is a “grave responsibility” it is to say that there is such a great importance attached to this practice that without it, great harm is done to the Church, to ourselves, and in our relationship with God.
The Liturgy of the Hours, therefore, if not prayed by those who have made such a promise to God, commit mortal sin (provided all the criteria the Church gives to mortal sin is fulfilled).
This then teaches us that the Prayer of the Church bestows upon the Church the graces that bring about and preserve the grace of salvation in others. A priest or religious who refuses or out of sloth neglects this prayer is also neglecting his people in a grave manner.
This speaks of the Church’s belief in the power of prayer. Without it, we are lost, and no matter how smart or educated we think we are, we are ultimately hating God and his people without it.
The commitment and promise that we have taken is also important to reflect upon. Don’t be two faced. If you are going to make a promise to God, mean it. This also is true with respect to the oath of fidelity the ordained take.
If you cannot honour your commitments to God, you can’t really honour your commitments to your neighbour . That is, if God is owed the most respect, how can we ever think that we will respect our neighbours who deserve less honour than God?
Let our yes be yes, and our no be no.