PRIESTHOOD


PRIESTHOOD

It was on this day (Maundy Thursday) that Jesus had instituted the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood. Priesthood is a privilege given to certain people on earth. They are chosen generation. When they exercise their priestly ministry, they are not of this world or normal human beings but of eternal world and represent Christ amidst us. The priest holds the powers of Christ to forgive sins, cast the devils, heal the sick and even commands the angels. It is said that for all of us the Guardian angel goes in front of us but for the priest the Guardian angel goes behind him. Despite being a normal human being priest represents Christ to us whom the angles bow down.

The apostles were the first priests. Jesus commissioned them to be servants and continue his work on earth and gave them the power that he had received from His Father. "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek" (Heb 7:17). The priest is anointed forever as a minister of Christ. Through the sacrament of Confession he saves the souls. When he dies he doesn’t enter heaven alone rather, he takes good number of souls along with him to heaven. He is saved by saving the others.


It is in the hands of the priest that the small host transforms into the body of Christ. St. John Paul II says, “It is in that small host lies the solution for all the problems in the world.” When priest celebrates the mass he shares the priesthood of Christ, the high priest. Mercy which became flesh two thousand years ago still continues to become flesh in the form of host that is in the hands of priest. Mother Mary was blessed to carry the Face of Mercy (Christ) in her womb. Today, priests are blessed to bring that mercy again into this world. They share the salvific work of Christ. It is a mystery that cannot be comprehended. On this day as we celebrate the birthday of Priesthood let us pray for all the priests in the world that they may understand the power and mystery that they hold and work for the salvation of the souls.

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