The Priesthood — A Priceless Gift

CatholicExchange.com ^ | July 1, 2009 | Gary Zimak

[Salvation]

The Priesthood — A Priceless Gift

July 1st, 2009 by Gary Zimak

On June 19, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI commemorated the official start of “The Year Of The Priest”. This year is dedicated to increasing “spiritual perfection” in priests, but it is also a time for the both the clergy and laity to reflect on the importance of the priesthood. In order to better appreciate the Catholic priesthood, let’s look at its origin, purpose and impact on our lives.

The Catholic priesthood has its roots in the priesthood of the Old Covenant. The great Jesuit theologian, Fr. John Hardon, observed that the priest of the Old Covenant was a mediator between the people and God as he would “offer the people’s adoration to God and beg His mercy for the people’s sins.” Despite being authorized to offer sacrifices to God on behalf of mankind, however, the Levitical priesthood remained powerless to bring about salvation and needed to repeat its sacrifices ceaselessly. It wasn’t until the priesthood of Jesus Christ that ultimate sanctification was achieved.

Unlike the priests of the Old Covenant, Jesus was both priest and victim. His unique sacrifice to the Father at Calvary was accomplished once for all, but is made present to us today in each Holy Mass. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), this same priestly function continues to be carried out through the ministerial priesthood without diminishing the priesthood of Christ (CCC 1545). Instead, Christ uses this ministerial priesthood to build up His Church. In his Summa Theologica, St. Thomas Aquinas elaborates on the priesthood by stating, “Christ is the source of all priesthood: the priest of the old law was a figure of Christ, and the priest of the new law acts in the person of Christ.”

In his book The Priest Is Not His Own, the late Archbishop Fulton Sheen observed, “Each time the priest speaks the words of consecration, he applies Calvary and its fruits to a particular place and a particular time…The priest takes the Cross of Calvary with Christ still hanging on it, and he plants it in New York, Paris, Cairo and Tokyo and in the poorest mission in the world.” Considering this supernatural aspect of the priesthood makes it apparent that the priest is not “just another guy”. As Sheen further observes, “We become significant to our fellow men not by being a ‘regular guy’, but by being ‘another Christ’.”

In addition to offering the Sacrifice of the Mass, participation in the priesthood of the New Covenant (or ministerial priesthood) also involves administering the other Sacraments instituted by Our Lord. Have you ever stopped to think where we would be without the priesthood? There would obviously be no Eucharist, no forgiveness of sins in Confession or Anointing of the Sick. Without the priesthood there would be no Confirmation, thus limiting the growth of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There would also be no bishops or pope to guide the Church. The priesthood allows Jesus to continue working in His Church for when a priest administers any one of the Sacraments, it is actually Christ Who is performing the action (CCC 1120).

One aspect of the Roman Catholic priesthood that is misunderstood by many in today’s society is the discipline of celibacy. While not wanting to turn this into a personal crusade for mandatory celibacy, I would be remiss in not addressing the importance of this gift to the Church. The Vatican II document Presbyterorum Ordinis did a wonderful job explaining the value of celibacy, while still acknowledging the validity of married Eastern rite Catholic priests.

While not definitively stating that celibacy is mandatory for the priesthood, the above document acknowledges the fact that it is a praiseworthy and noble practice. In his aforementioned book on the priesthood, Archbishop Fulton Sheen observed, “Consecrated virginity is the highest form of sacral or sacrificial love; it seeks nothing for itself but seeks only the will of the beloved…God has allowed creatures to share in his creation…The ambassador of Christ (the priest) is called to another type of creativeness — he begets souls.” Scriptural endorsement for the practice of celibacy can be found in 1 Cor 7:32-35. Refusing to acknowledge its value to the service of God’s people is doing a great disservice to this supernatural gift.

Celibacy is a discipline (not a dogma) of the Roman Catholic priesthood and could possibly be eliminated someday, but it frustrates me to hear the constant attacks by those who don’t understand its value. It is generally blamed (by the mainstream media) for every priestly sexual indiscretion imaginable. The desire to quickly condemn celibacy whenever a priestly scandal occurs ignores the fact that the vast majority of priests fulfill their promise of celibacy with honor and integrity. Those who take advantage of such situations to promote an anti-celibacy agenda perform an injustice against these holy men who embrace abstinence for the sake of the Kingdom.

Looking at the priesthood purely in human terms will cause much of its meaning and importance to be missed. We will have difficulty understanding supernatural concepts such as celibacy and transubstantiation (the transformation of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ). We begin to look at the Sacrament of Confession as nothing more than a “counseling session” and eventually abandon it altogether, choosing instead to “confess our sins directly to God”. It becomes too easy to concentrate on a priest’s personality flaws or lack of “stage presence” and we begin to compare priests and choose our favorite. Looking at the priesthood in Divine terms, however, helps us to keep our focus on its true meaning — and its importance in helping us to attain Eternal Life in Heaven.

The next time that you feel your priest’s homily is too long or you’re tired of him “asking for money”, take a minute and remember that, by virtue of his ordination, he is acting in the person of Our Lord. Looking at him in this way should make it easier to see past any personality defects and see, not the imperfect human, but our ultimate High Priest — Jesus Christ.

 

Gary Zimak is the founder of The Catholic Truth (http://www.thecatholictruth.info ), a lay apostolate which uses the Internet to assist Catholics in learning more about their Faith. He writes extensively for their free monthly newsletter and daily blog (http://www.thecatholictruthblog.blogspot.com ) in addition to frequently updating their website with recommended Catholic resources and guidelines. Mr. Zimak is a member of Catholics United For The Faith and the Knights of Columbus. He resides in New Jersey with his wife Eileen and twin daughters, Mary & Elizabeth. They are members of Sacred Heart Parish in Riverton, NJ where Gary is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, lector and small faith group leader and Eileen is a religious education teacher.

[Salvation]

Hardon, Sheen,

The Old Testament, the New Testament

Interesting commentary and worth a read.

[Salvation]

**Fr. John Hardon, observed that the priest of the Old Covenant was a mediator between the people and God as he would “offer the people’s adoration to God and beg His mercy for the people’s sins.” ** Old Testament

**As (Archbishop) Sheen further observes, “We become significant to our fellow men not by being a ‘regular guy’, but by being ‘another Christ’.”** New Testmanet

[Salvation]

Oops
Testmanet
Testament

[Salvation]

The Priesthood — A Priceless Gift
Forming Those Who Form Priests: The Gift of Purity of Heart
Spiritual Mothers of Priests: Your Questions [Year of the Priest]
Eucharistic Season in the Year of the Priesthood

Pope's Address at Audience With New Archbishops: "Carry Deeply in Your Hearts Your Priests"
No Matter What, He Always "Acts Like a Priest" [Ecumenical]
On Priestly Identity
What Can I Do For the Year of the Priest?
The Rosary for the Year of the Priest [Catholic Caucus]

Pope Notes His Goal for Year for Priests
On the Year for Priests
WHY A YEAR FOR PRIESTS?
Curé d'Ars: Model Priest [Year of the Priest]
ZENIT Launches Column on Priesthood

[Justin] Cardinal Rigali on the Year for Priests
Church Being Given Chance to Rediscover Priesthood [Year of the Priest]
Celebrating the Year of the Priesthood
St. John Vianney's Pastoral Plan
LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI PROCLAIMING A YEAR FOR PRIESTS [Catholic Caucus]

Year of the Priest Letter (Media immediately scrutinize its contents for controversy)
Year of the Priest [Catholic Caucus]
The Year for Priests [Catholic Caucus]
Year of the Priest Begins Friday
U.S. bishops launch website for Year for Priests

[Salvation]

Saint John Vianney, the Cure of Ars

Pastor’s Column

19^th Sunday Ordinary Time

August 9, 2009

 

 

Saint John Vianney, whose feast day is August 4, has been made the patron saint of all priests. Towards the end of his life he was in such demand that he spent up to 16 hours a day hearing confessions. For this week’s column I wish to offer a small selection of his words, that he might speak to us today.

                                                                             Father Gary

 

In your work, offer your difficulties and troubles quite simply to God…. And you will find that his blessing will rest upon you and all that you do.

 

We ought to in the morning on awakening to offer to God our heart, our mind, out thoughts, our words, our actions, our whole selves, to serve for his glory alone.

 

Our prayer is an incense which God receives with extreme pleasure.

 

If you really love God, you will not be content with avoiding big sins. You will regard as hateful anything which could be even a little displeasing to him.

 

Fear nothing but sin and displeasing God.

 

If we have a burden to carry, let us promptly remember that we are following Jesus Christ carrying his cross; let us unite our sufferings to those of our divine savior.

 

Alas! How many neglect or omit their spiritual duties just as easily as they will take a glass of wine. They will not do things unless they are in the modd, or put themselves to any inconvenience.

 

To pray well we need not speak much.

 

Ask our Lord for the grace to think only of him and to desire only to please him in all you do for your whole life.

 

Those who go often to Mass during the week, do their work very much better than those who, for want of faith, think they have no time.

 

We can, if we will, become a saint, for God will never refuse to help us to do so.

[B-Chan]

Fr. John Hardon

LOL

[Jedediah]

We are all priests and even more ! Overcomers in Christ alone !

This is a priestly measure I AM taking you through ,

Each step into the Holy of Holies until it is I in you !

No more a mortal body do you have ,

For you are washed in My Blood and bathed in My Salve ,

I AM taking over , release now , allow me to subdue ,

All earthly pleasures for I AM taking them from you !

You see it is My robes now of Righteousness you wear ,

And as others look into your eyes it is Me they shall see there ,

Go tread upon the serpent for now My Kingdom “Lives” in you !

I AM Eternal through and through !

Forebearance is not warranted for you no longer live there !

For you have overcome All dispair !

I AM your ALL , Almighty and True !

Come ! Enter into My oneness I AM sharing with you !

Exodus 28:30-35
“ You shall put in the breastpiece of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the LORD; and Aaron shall carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD continually.
31”You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue.

32”There shall be an opening at its top in the middle of it; around its opening there shall be a binding of woven work, like the opening of a coat of mail, so that it will not be torn.

33”You shall make on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material, all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around:

34a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, all around on the hem of the robe.

35”It shall be on Aaron when he ministers; and its tinkling shall be heard when he enters and leaves the holy place before the LORD, so that he will not die.

[Salvation]

Exactly when were you ordained as a priest. When did you receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

O be;oeve you are skewing words here.

[Jedediah]

When I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior at 6 years old ! Isn’t it wonderful !

Revelation 1:5-7 (New King James Version)
5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed[a] us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings[b] and
“priests” to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

Hebrews 7:28 (New King James Version)
28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

[Salvation]

When were you ordained by a Bishop please. You are not answering my question.

[Salvation]

For your information.

Beginning Catholic: The Sacrament of Holy Orders: Priests of the New Sacrifice [Ecumenical]

[Jedediah]

Not by a bishop or priest or cardinal or pope but by Jesus Christ who said am I not enough for you ?
Isn’t Jesus enough for you my sister he is for me man shall all turn to dust and are all born into sin !
Jesus is enough for me every day and I will shout his name Hallelujah to the King of Kings and Lord of lords !

Worthy is the Lamb of God ! Worthy is the Lamb !

Only you Jesus ! Only you !

[Salvation]

YOPIOS

[Jedediah]

You are the Christ , on this statement Jesus built the Church ! Not on a man of sin and denial . In front of witnesses that he denied Christ 3 times after being with him !!!!
Jesus is the Cornerstone and only Jesus .
Those that are double minded , that worship a pope or a man or woman will never receive anything( the bible says) which is Jesus “ The Word “ there can never be any life in flesh for it is in itself anti christ !
1 Peter 2:25 (King James Version)

25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and “Bishop” of your souls.

[A.A. Cunningham]

putz

[A.A. Cunningham]

There is a big difference, just as Scripture teaches, between the common priesthood of the believer and the Ministerial Priesthood of the Ordained.

[B-Chan]

Guilty.

[Jedediah]

There is only Jesus and when we glorify man we put a golden calf in our lives that is against the word of God , You shall have no other gods before me ! Why do you need a person if you have Jesus ?!!!!! My sheep here my voice he said MY voice ! Not a man working out his righteousness with fear and trembling before the ALMIGHTY GOD ! If you truly hear his voice you will let all this religiousity fall away and Jesus will be enough . When we point others to anything but JESUS we stand before the living God in a very bad posture . Jesus said it is better to put a millstone around your kneck than to lead his children into adultry of any kind ! Try pointing people to Jesus and stop pointing them to worship other things , any other thing .nothing else matters but Jesus and the meat of the Father . Let Jesus be enough for you Peace be with you and may The Spirit of The Living God that goes out from the Father rest upon you this very day, Amen Point them to Jesus my dear sister \o/ Jesus \o/ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all understanding . Fear ( Revere ) the Lord not man Main Entry: 1re·vere Pronunciation: \ri-ˈvir\ Function: transitive verb Inflected Form(s): re·vered; re·ver·ing Etymology: Latin revereri, from re- + vereri to fear, respect — more at wary Date: 1615 : to show devoted deferential honor to : regard as worthy of great honor synonyms revere, reverence, venerate, worship, adore mean to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully. revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling Isaiah 44:5-7 (New King James Version) 5 One will say, ‘I am the LORD’s’; Another will call himself by the name of Jacob; Another will write with his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ And name himself by the name of Israel. There Is No Other God 6 “ Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘ I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God. 7 And who can proclaim as I do? Job 28 Job’s Discourse on Wisdom 1 “Surely there is a mine for silver, And a place where gold is refined. 2 Iron is taken from the earth, And copper is smelted from ore. 3 Man puts an end to darkness, And searches every recess For ore in the darkness and the shadow of death. 4 He breaks open a shaft away from people; In places forgotten by feet They hang far away from men; They swing to and fro. 5 As for the earth, from it comes bread, But underneath it is turned up as by fire; 6 Its stones are the source of sapphires, And it contains gold dust. 7 That path no bird knows, Nor has the falcon’s eye seen it. 8 The proud lions[a] have not trodden it, Nor has the fierce lion passed over it. 9 He puts his hand on the flint; He overturns the mountains at the roots. 10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, And his eye sees every precious thing. 11 He dams up the streams from trickling; What is hidden he brings forth to light. 12 “But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? 13 Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living. 14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me’; And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’ 15 It cannot be purchased for gold, Nor can silver be weighed for its price. 16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx or sapphire. 17 Neither gold nor crystal can equal it, Nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold. 18 No mention shall be made of coral or quartz, For the price of wisdom is above rubies. 19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, Nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? 21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living, And concealed from the birds of the air. 22 Destruction and Death say, ‘We have heard a report about it with our ears.’ 23 God understands its way, And He knows its place. 24 For He looks to the ends of the earth, And sees under the whole heavens, 25 To establish a weight for the wind, And apportion the waters by measure. 26 When He made a law for the rain, And a path for the thunderbolt, 27 Then He saw wisdom[b] and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out. 28 And to man He said, ‘ Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’” Footnotes: Job 28:8 Literally sons of pride, figurative of the great lions Job 28:27 Literally it Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me, Since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come, Let them show these to them.

[Jedediah]

There is only Jesus and when we glorify man we put a golden calf in our lives that is against the word of God , You shall have no other gods before me ! Why do you need a person if you have Jesus ?!!!!! My sheep here my voice he said MY voice ! Not a man working out his righteousness with fear and trembling before the ALMIGHTY GOD ! If you truly hear his voice you will let all this religiousity fall away and Jesus will be enough . When we point others to anything but JESUS we stand before the living God in a very bad posture . Jesus said it is better to put a millstone around your kneck than to lead his children into adultry of any kind ! Try pointing people to Jesus and stop pointing them to worship other things , any other thing .nothing else matters but Jesus and the meat of the Father . Let Jesus be enough for you Peace be with you and may The Spirit of The Living God that goes out from the Father rest upon you this very day, Amen Point them to Jesus my dear sister \o/ Jesus \o/ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all understanding . Fear ( Revere ) the Lord not man Main Entry: 1re·vere Pronunciation: \ri-ˈvir\ Function: transitive verb Inflected Form(s): re·vered; re·ver·ing Etymology: Latin revereri, from re- + vereri to fear, respect — more at wary Date: 1615 : to show devoted deferential honor to : regard as worthy of great honor synonyms revere, reverence, venerate, worship, adore mean to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully. revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling Isaiah 44:5-7 (New King James Version) 5 One will say, ‘I am the LORD’s’; Another will call himself by the name of Jacob; Another will write with his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ And name himself by the name of Israel. There Is No Other God 6 “ Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘ I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God. 7 And who can proclaim as I do? Job 28 Job’s Discourse on Wisdom 1 “Surely there is a mine for silver, And a place where gold is refined. 2 Iron is taken from the earth, And copper is smelted from ore. 3 Man puts an end to darkness, And searches every recess For ore in the darkness and the shadow of death. 4 He breaks open a shaft away from people; In places forgotten by feet They hang far away from men; They swing to and fro. 5 As for the earth, from it comes bread, But underneath it is turned up as by fire; 6 Its stones are the source of sapphires, And it contains gold dust. 7 That path no bird knows, Nor has the falcon’s eye seen it. 8 The proud lions[a] have not trodden it, Nor has the fierce lion passed over it. 9 He puts his hand on the flint; He overturns the mountains at the roots. 10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, And his eye sees every precious thing. 11 He dams up the streams from trickling; What is hidden he brings forth to light. 12 “But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? 13 Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living. 14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me’; And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’ 15 It cannot be purchased for gold, Nor can silver be weighed for its price. 16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx or sapphire. 17 Neither gold nor crystal can equal it, Nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold. 18 No mention shall be made of coral or quartz, For the price of wisdom is above rubies. 19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, Nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? 21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living, And concealed from the birds of the air. 22 Destruction and Death say, ‘We have heard a report about it with our ears.’ 23 God understands its way, And He knows its place. 24 For He looks to the ends of the earth, And sees under the whole heavens, 25 To establish a weight for the wind, And apportion the waters by measure. 26 When He made a law for the rain, And a path for the thunderbolt, 27 Then He saw wisdom[b] and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out. 28 And to man He said, ‘ Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’” Footnotes: Job 28:8 Literally sons of pride, figurative of the great lions Job 28:27 Literally it Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me, Since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come, Let them show these to them.

[ex-snook]

Two priceless gifts from Jesus -
His Body and Blood
The Apostolic Priesthood