Once again, we see the target of Jesus' concern and worry. The Pharisees, teachers, and interpreters of the Torah should be the ones who offer example and support to the community. They are called to lead and to be true pastors. Instead, it seems, they are more concerned about what they are wearing and how they are to be greeted in the street. Jesus is concerned that pastoral leaders show more concern for their state of dress rather than really reaching out to help. Pope Francis has a similar concern for Catholic clergy who invest time and money in ensuring that their clerical dress is the very best, and their homes have the latest appliances. He calls for the end of clericalism that allowed wickedness to flourish. Some years ago, the popular Catholic weekly, 'The Tablet' ran an article that attempted to show stark differences in pastoral style between clergy—now it is all too easy to stereotype but the image of 'Fr Aga' and 'Fr Microwave' remains with me still. The latter was presented as constantly on the go: his community was typical of a Vatican II vision. He wears a simple clerical shirt but is as comfortable in a tracksuit or jeans. He is very hardworking and celebrates a daily mass for parishioners. He can be seen across his parish in nursing homes, schools, and hospitals—he is there wherever the gospel is needed. He tries to walk across the parish as he will meet those who never come near Church—by his own admission, some of his best ministry is conducted over the frozen peas at Tesco! He runs a collaborative parish and a ministry that is inclusive: the parish has a variety of active ministries from SVP and a strong prayer group to ecumenical outreach and using parish facilities for a variety of activities from a crèche to immigrant support. Liturgy is in English, with an emphasis on making all welcome. Women and children are welcomed onto the sanctuary as readers and servers, while there is a strong music ministry that covers all musical genre from plainchant to modern gospel. There is a strong prayer life within the parish with daily rosary before Mass, a charismatic prayer group, Bible study with the local Christian communities, and weekly adoration with benediction. The parish has a strong social life, offering everything from refreshments after Mass to pilgrimages and Christmas outings to the local pantomime. 'Fr Microwave' returns to his flat, at the end of long and fulfilling day, to a ready meal that is placed in the microwave and is ready to eat in minutes. After his solitary meal, he retires to say his prayers and get ready for an equally busy and challenging new day—that is until he gets a call out to be with a dying parishioner, probably one who has not been to church for years but needs the ministry of Christ at this crucial time. Ministry, for 'Fr Microwave' cannot be limited. He would subscribe to the vision and challenge of Pope Benedict:

I want to invite you to "dare to love". Do not desire anything less for your life than a love that is strong and beautiful and that is capable of making the whole of your existence a joyful undertaking of giving yourselves as a gift to God and your brothers and sisters, in imitation of the One who vanquished hatred and death forever. (27/01/2007)

'Fr Aga' has a different way of looking at his parish. He awakes in a beautiful presbytery that was totally renovated on his appointment as the new parish priest. He dresses in a black cassock and wears a large collar—he argues that it is important that people know exactly who he is and what an important role he has in the parish. He too celebrates a daily mass that is in Latin, with him facing the same direction as the congregation. When challenged by parishioners, who see his liturgical style as old fashioned, Fr Aga makes it very clear that he is in charge, so the parish council and liturgy groups have been disbanded. As a true 'Roman Catholic', he is suspicious of 'separated brethren' even though he was formally an ordained Anglican priest and became a Catholic when the Church of England authorised the ordination of women. Women are welcome into the sanctuary—as cleaners! He has no time for female readers or servers and does not want extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist—male or female. Latin plainchant is the order of the day, especially on Sunday when he celebrates a solemn, sung High Mass, wearing vestments that were specially imported at great cost to the parish's dwindling finances. Indeed, this is the only parish in the local Deanery that have the pink/rose vestments that are only really needed for two Sundays in the year. He had no time for school ministry as, he argues, young people never come to his church, so why should be visit their school? Thankfully, home food delivery means that he does not have to waste valuable time shopping in Tesco, as he makes it a point of waiting in his office for parishioners to come to see him. He is lucky as not many seem to want to make that long walk up the presbytery path to his front door for some reason. He feels blessed as he can spend his mornings preparing Sunday sermons that are long and detailed—you need time to catch up on the writings and thoughts of Cardinal Sarah and Archbishop Vigano, plus the latest from various internet blogs that promote the beauty of the Tridentine Mass. He has no time for socialisation: the church buildings are there to raise the hearts and minds to God—if you want a coffee, he would argue, go to Starbucks! He is happy with his solo existence, as parishioners who do disturb his peace, are met with lengthy lectures on their sinfulness, especially if they are living together or have a baby outside of wedlock. It his duty to get people back on to the straight and narrow as the law of the Church demands. He is quite happy with a small Church of the saved—and those who do not challenge his style. Whatever the parish demands of him, he needs to be free from about 4pm: for then he goes into his beautiful kitchen to prepare his dinner from scratch. No microwave in this space, but an expensive AGA cooker that is his pride and joy. After an evening of soaps, and little interaction with the people of God, he too can say his prayers, and retire to a blissful sleep, knowing that he is unlikely to be disturbed.

I did warn you that there was a chance of extremes in this updated presentation of these two styles of priestly ministry. However, there is no doubt what Jesus requires of his priests today. It is a hard job: priests must practice what they preach. Speaking as one who has failed miserably at times, I just thank God for the support of my Salesian confrere, friends, colleagues, parishioners, and students who have been there for me—and to pick up the pieces. We are not in the business of placing hard and detailed loads on parishioners' shoulders, while being more concerned about what type of robe I must wear today.

Today is a challenge to clergy: do I deserve the title 'Fr.'? What am I doing to ensure that my ministry is inclusive, open, and welcoming? Remember, as the Synod teaches us, we are in this together: the parish priest needs his parishioners, as they need their priest. The call of Francis to end the scourge of clericalism, is not some lefty or trendy ideology, it lies at the heart of what Jesus is asking of his ministers in today's Gospel. We must allow the Holy Spirit space to move and breathe in the life of the world today, as Pope Francis reminds us:

The protagonist of the Synod isn't us, but the Holy Spirit… if the Spirit is in charge, it is a good synod, and if He is not, it is not. (04/10/2023)