20 THE PRIESTHOOD: A DIVINE CALL TO SERVE

❇️ WHAT IS IT?

THE PRIESTHOOD in the Catholic Church comprises two essential dimensions: the Ministerial Priesthood and the Common Priesthood of the Faithful.

It involves a Divine call to serve God and His people.

♦️ Ministerial Priesthood: Ordained priests, through the sacrament of Holy Orders, serve as spiritual leaders and administrators of the sacraments.

♦️ Common Priesthood: All baptized faithful participate in the common priesthood, involving a shared responsibility for the sanctification of the world.

🌀 HISTORY & IMPORTANCE

💡 Biblical Foundation: The concept of the common priesthood is rooted in the New Testament, where believers are described as “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9).

💡 Jesus as High Priest: In the New Testament, Jesus is identified as the High Priest who offers Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for the redemption of humanity (Heb 4:14-16).

💡 Historical Development: The ministerial priesthood, with its hierarchical structure, developed in the early Church to ensure the continuity of apostolic authority and the administration of sacraments.

💡 Catechism of the Catholic Church (1546): “Christ, whom the Father hallowed and sent into the world, has, through his apostles, made their successors, the bishops namely, sharers in his consecration and mission; and these, in their turn, confer the sacrament of Holy Orders on the ministers of the Church.”

💡 CCC (1591): “The whole Church is a priestly people. Through Baptism all the faithful share in the priesthood of Christ. This participation is called the ‘common priesthood of the faithful.'”
💡 CCC (1547): “The ministerial priesthood is at the service of the common priesthood. It is directed at the unfolding of the baptismal grace of all Christians.”

💒 MINISTERIAL PRIESTHOOD

💠 Ministerial Priesthood: The ministerial priesthood finds its foundation in the New Testament, where Jesus conferred authority upon the apostles to forgive sins and celebrate the Eucharist (Mt 16:19, Lk 22:19).

💠 Biblical Basis: Jesus instituted the ministerial priesthood during the Last Supper, where He empowered the apostles to celebrate the Eucharist and forgive sins (Mt 26:26-28, Jn 20:22-23).

💠 Apostolic Succession: The ministerial priesthood is passed down through apostolic succession, ensuring continuity of authority and sacramental power.

💠 Sacrifice of the Mass: Priests, acting in persona Christi, offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, representing Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross (CCC 1366).

💠 Sacrament of Reconciliation: Priests administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation, reconciling sinners with God and the Church (CCC 1442).

💠 Shepherding the Flock: Priests have the pastoral responsibility of guiding and nourishing the spiritual growth of the faithful (CCC 1564).

👥 COMMON PRIESTHOOD

💠 Baptismal Priesthood: Through baptism, every believer shares in Christ’s priesthood, becoming a participant in the Church’s mission of sanctification.

💠 Biblical Basis: The common priesthood is based on the teaching that all baptized believers are called to participate in Christ’s priestly mission (1 Pet 2:5, Rev 1:6).

💠 Sanctifying the World: The common priesthood empowers the faithful to sanctify the secular world through their daily activities, transforming it into a place of holiness.

💠 Offering Spiritual Sacrifices: Believers, in their common priesthood, offer spiritual sacrifices of praise, prayer, and acts of charity (CCC 901).

💠 Witnessing to Christ: Through the common priesthood, believers are called to be witnesses to Christ in their families, workplaces, and communities.

📜 LEARN FROM SAINTS & CHURCH TEACHINGS

🔶 St. Peter: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

🔶 St. Therese of Lisieux: “In the heart of the Church, I will be Love.”

🙏🏻 SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

🔷 Ministerial Priesthood: Facilitates the sacramental life of the Church, ensuring the faithful receive the grace of the sacraments.

🔷 Common Priesthood: Empowers all believers to actively participate in the Church’s mission, bringing the message of Christ to the world.

🔷 Collaborative Mission: The ministerial and common priesthood collaborate for the spiritual well-being of the Church, working together for the salvation of souls.

🌐 PRACTICAL TIPS

💠 Live Baptismal Promises: Embrace the responsibilities of the common priesthood by living out the promises made during baptism.

💠 Engage in Daily Prayer: Regularly engage in personal and communal prayer, offering spiritual sacrifices for the sanctification of the world.

💠 Support Ministry of Priests: Recognize and support the ministerial priesthood by actively participating in the sacraments and praying for priests.

Do your bit to care for priests, who need the prayerful support to be strong in their vocation and to be faithful to their Divine call
Desist from speaking negatively in wake of any scandals, and instead, express your solidarity and support, with prayers and penance.

💠 Share Faith in Daily Life: In the common priesthood, witness to Christ in your daily interactions, demonstrating love, compassion, and humility.

May THE PRIESTHOOD, both ministerial and common, be cherished and lived out as a divine call to serve, bringing the light of Christ to a world in need.

❇️ Keep the faith!
✅ Live in love!
✳️ Deepen your hope!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

• Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
  Bengaluru, India
  reflectioncapsules@gmail.com