I'm not the type of person who gets motivated or demotivated going to mass based on a priest's public speaking skills or personality. I go to mass to for God. It's just a bonus if the priest is gifted and delivers great sermons.
I embraced this mindset when I realized that priests don't become priests because of their public speaking skills or good charisma. They become priests because of their intention to serve God. Purpose over talent. Lacking certain skill sets doesn't stop one from serving a purpose, and this is true even for regular individuals like us.
Recently, parish priests in our province have been re-shuffled and like any change, people have a tendency to compare the present with the past which shouldn't be because each one is unique. But I like what the new parish priest in our town said this morning, apt for those who have a certain set of expectations of him since he's new. He said that he's not there to please people so people would like him. Rather, he's there to teach and guide us and that includes both pleasant and unpleasant truths about life because his purpose is to make us closer to God. Beautifully said.
A few Sundays ago, he was urging parents to bring their kids to mass even if they're too young to understand the mass. A lot of parents, he said, no longer bring their kids to church because they are embarrassed when kids make noise or are "malikot" (restless). But he emphasized the importance of exposing kids to the church at a young age, never mind if they are noisy or restless.
For us who don't have kids, he asked for patience if the kids near us are noisy, crying or distracting. He reminded us about the Gospel where Jesus got displeased when the disciples rebuked parents who wanted to bring their children to Him. The priest said that kids are naturally "malikot" and that we should be glad if they are "malikot" because that just means they are normal and healthy. That's a nice reminder for everyone - so don't get annoyed and be patient when you find yourself seated beside a noisy or naughty kid. After all, it's not us but the children who are worthy to enter heaven. :)
Anyway, if you stopped going to mass because you don't like the priest or you get bored or sleepy during the homily, just remind yourself why you're attending mass in the first place - it's for God, not the priest. And it's ok to catch yourself occasionally dozing off or daydreaming (I always do even if a priest is super funny and entertaining), as St. Pio, one of my favorite saints, said just go back to your prayer when you realize you've wandered off. But if you really need a priest who delivers great sermons to get you go to mass, that's ok too. There are a lot of nearby churches to explore. :)
