Priesthood

by Fr. Jess Ty  |  05/10/2020  |  Weekly Reflection

Dear Family of God,

What is priesthood and how do you share the Priesthood of Jesus Christ?

Saint Peter teaches us in the Second Reading this weekend, that you, the laity, are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of His own…” You share this priesthood through Baptism and anointing of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation. Priests are set apart FROM sin, and are set apart FOR God, to pray and to offer sacrifices to God.

Jesus, the only way to the Father, said: “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” How do you offer sacrifice to God? By being Baptized, by being united to Christ, and by offering your daily works, sufferings, joys and pain, through, with, and in Jesus Christ, during the Mass.

That is why during Mass, I, or Fr. Clement, or Fr. Kurt say: “Pray brothers and sisters that MY sacrifice and YOURS may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father.” You are not present at Mass only to receive Christ, but to offer “The One Perfect Sacrifice” of Jesus Christ to the Father. When does this exactly happen? When the ordained priest says: “Through Him, with Him and in Him, O God, almighty Father, in the Unity of the Holy Spirit…”

For more details, or a deeper understanding please read CCC #901; “The laity… are called to offer all their works, prayers, and evangelizations, family and married life, daily work, relaxation of mind and body…even hardship of life if patiently born—all these become spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. In the celebration of the Eucharist these may most fittingly be offered to the Father along with the Body of the Lord.”

May you all discover and continue to exercise, with power, your priesthood, both in your domestic church and in the Church. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph, intercede for us all.

Yours in Christ through Mary Immaculate,

Fr. Jess Ty