PARISH OF ST TERESA LENTEN REFLECTION ON OUR BAPTISMAL CHARACTER WE ARE PRIESTS IN CHRIST
At his Baptism, Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit: Lk 3:21-22; 4:18-19. At our baptism, we were marked with oil (Chrism) as a sign that we are consecrated to God and anointed by the Holy Spirit. Our anointing also was a sign that we are joined to Christ and share in his threefold mission as priest, prophet and king. This triple office and mission is therefore best grasped within the understanding of Christ and his Church.
CHURCH MYSTERY
PRIEST
MINISTER OF SAC
LITURGY/ WORSHIP
COMMUNION
KING
LEADER/ BUILDER
FELLOWSHIP
MISSION
PROPHET
TEACHER
CHURCH THROUGH BAPTISM THROUGH PRIESTLY ORDINATION LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY
LEARNING AND SERVICE
Jesus Christ as Priest A priest is a mediator or bridge between God and human beings. He offers sacrifice to God on behalf of all. Jesus Christ, being a truly human high priest, perfectly represents humanity before God. He made atonement for sins by his own sacrificial death. Being a truly divine high priest, this act of Christ’s was perfect, once for all and of eternal value.
The ministry of Jesus Christ as high priest: - He made atonement for sin (Heb 2:17) “Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people�.
Heb 8:3 “For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; hence it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer”. Heb 9:11-12 “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands), that is, not of this creation), he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption”.
- He represents human beings before God (Heb 5:1) “For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of all men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins”. 1 Jn 2:1-2 “My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the expiation for our sins, and for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world”.
- He entered the Most Holy Place (Heb 9:24) On the Day of Atonement the high priest entered the Most Holy Place (the sanctuary) which represented the presence of God. Jesus Christ fulfilled this ritual by entering heaven. Heb 4:14 “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession�.
- He makes believers perfect (Heb 10:14) “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified”. Heb 10:10 “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all”.
- He brings believers close to God (Heb 10:19-22) “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest overt he house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water�.
- He helps those being tempted (Heb 2:18) “For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted”. - He intercedes continually (Heb 7:24-25) “but he holds his priesthood permanently , because he continues for ever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them”.
Jesus Christ, the human high priest: - As a man he is able to represent human beings (Heb 2:17) - He is divinely appointed (Heb 5:5-6) “So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, ‘Thou art my Son today I have begotten thee’; as he says also in another place, ‘Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek’.
Jesus Christ, the divine high priest: - He is sinless (Heb 7:26-27) Jesus Christ is strongly contrasted with other high priests because he did not have to offer sacrifices for his own sins. “For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself�.
- He is eternal (Heb 6:20) - His atoning work was completed once for all (Heb 7:7). Other high priests had to repeat their sacrifices - He is exalted (Heb 8:1) “Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in heaven�.
Jesus Christ’s high priesthood was of the order of Melchizedek Heb 6:20 The priesthood of Melchizedek resembles that of Jesus Christ because he too was a king and had neither beginning nor end. See also Ps 110:4
Responses to Jesus Christ’s high priesthood: - A call to keep the faith (Heb 4:14-15) - An invitation to seek God’s help in times of need (Heb 4:16) - An invitation to draw near to God (Heb 10:19-22) - A call to run the race of faith (Heb 12:1-3) - A call to offer thanksgiving and worship (Heb 12:28-29)
Sharing in Jesus’ Priestly Ministry: Christ, as the Great High Priest, offered himself in love as an all-holy sacrifice to the Father. In so doing he conquered sin and in rising he vanquished death and sanctifies all those who believe with the resurrected life of the Holy Spirit. All of us who now participate in the priesthood of Christ are empowered to share, each in accordance with our own sacramental ability, in his ministry of sanctification.
Lay men and women bring Christ’s and the Church’s sanctifying ministry to areas that are uniquely suitable and proper to them Lumen Gentium states that, because lay men and women share in Christ’s “priestly office”, they, “dedicated as they are to Christ and anointed by the Holy Spirit, are marvelously called and prepared so that even richer fruits of the Spirit may be produced in them. For all their works, prayers, apostolic undertakings, family and married life, daily work, relaxation of mind and body, if they are accomplished in the Spirit – indeed even the hardships of life patiently borne – all these becomes spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ” (34).