He too should be a many-sided man — I say many-sided, not unreal, nor yet fawning and hypocritical, but full of much freedom and assurance, and knowing how to adapt himself profitably, where the circumstances of the case require it, and to be both kind and severe, for it is not possible to treat all those under one’s charge on one plan, since neither is it well for physicians to apply one course of treatment to all their sick“ (St. John Chrysostom)

In the quote above St. John Chrysostom in sharing the wisdom written by the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 9:19-23), we are to be aware of serving all people in all circumstances at all times in an authentic love of Christ.
The priesthood is a daring proposition and when embraced is full of many blessings. Daring, for me, is not the jumping off of buildings, it is not doing and saying silly things because you wish to seem courageous and witty, it is not risking stupidly, nor is it putting others at risk. This is foolishness. What is daring? It is choosing to look outward toward hope and peace. It is choosing to see possibilities with others. It is listening with an open heart. It is embracing the Cross of Jesus Christ.
When you dare to trust in the Cross of Jesus you then begin to see the Church not as a lot of things to do but as a people/family to walk with. Venerable Fulton Sheen reminded priests, “You must remember to love people and use things, rather than to love things and use people.” To many times in all walks of life we can begin to see people as static, as objects meant to be used. The truth is we are for a purpose, but the purposes is to know and be in relationship. “The shepherd must smell like his flock.” (Pope Francis)

The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. When you see a priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (St. John Vianney) In daring to dream and act, the great patron of parish priest, reminds us by both his example of priesthood and by his prayerful words to dream in hope and love a life in care of God’s sons and daughters within community. His prayerful discernment, his acts of reaching out and his steadfastness in opposition of evil gave us the blessing of who we, as priests, are called to be in true vocation. As ordained minister and in the kingdom priesthood of the baptized we are called to live in daring service that shows forth constantly in ministry and as Church. When we begin to loose the looking outward, looking towards the cross of Jesus Christ we stagnate and fall away from the zeal of life. We see this in work, play and relationships every day. In priests as with religious, married couples and in singles…the loss of hope is choosing to risk less and less and see only the limited possibilities and not the reality of the greater love that comes only from a daring relationship of life with Christ Jesus.

Daring to act and to dream is always an act of humble service where, as the quote below from the United States Bishops reminds us, we submit ourselves to the will of the Father in proclaiming the Good News.
The priest cannot consider himself “lord” of the word, but rather its servant. He is not the word, but rather, as John the Baptist proclaimed, (precisely today we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist), he is the “voice” of the Word: “A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths'” (Mark 1:3).

Gracious and loving God, we thank your for the gift of our priests. 
Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.
Help our priests to be strong in their vocation. 
Set their souls on fire with love for your people.
Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. 
Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.
Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel. 
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.
Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest.
Amen.
God Bless Fr. Mark