Rev. Fr. David Okolie
Dearest friends,
The PRIESTHOOD we are considering here is the ‘Ministerial Priesthood‘ of Bishops and Priests (cf. CCC nn. 1547, 1549). This Ministerial Priesthood is a means by which Christ unceasingly CARES for his Church. This priesthood is brought into effect through the sacrament of Holy Orders (cf CCC, no. 1547). This sacrament of Holy Orders communicates a ‘Sacred Power‘ which is none other than that of Christ (CCC, no. 1551). Hence, the Church believes and teaches that: ‘in the ecclesial services of the PRIEST, it is CHRIST himself who is present to his Church as Head of his Body, Shepherd of his flock, high priest of the redemptive sacrifice, Teacher of Truth’ (cf. CCC, no. 1548). Just like Christ, priests are taken from amongst men and appointed for men in the things that appertain to God that they may offer gifts and sacrifices for sins (cf. Presbyterorum Ordinis, n. 3). But none of them took the honour of becoming priest upon himself but God himself chose them (cf. Heb 5:1-6).
Therefore, ‘through BAPTISM, priests introduce men into the people of God; by the sacrament of PENANCE they reconcile sinners with God and the Church; by the ANOINTING of the Sick they relieve those who are ill; by the celebration of MASS they offer Christ’s sacrifice sacramentally; in fact, they make Christ present in the celebration of the sacraments and in individual assemblies of the faithful’ (cf. Presbyterorum Ordinis, no. 5).
However, we must always bear in mind that, although the priest is ‘Another Christ’, yet he bears in his person, all human imperfections. This idea is expressed in the Catechism, thus: “This presence of Christ in the minister is not to be understood as if the latter were preserved from all human weaknesses, the spirit of domination, error, even sin” (cf CCC n. 1550). Hence, the people of God are expected not to look down on the priests but to always *PRAY* for, support, bear with, advise and respect them (cf. Num 12, 16). Just imagine a world without priests! Priests are so important; please, cherish them!
👉🏼Also, amidst the difficulties and evils in the world and in our day to day activities, there is still DIVINE PROVIDENCE’ We call ‘Divine Providence’ the dispositions by which God guides his creation towards perfection (Cf. CCC no 302). This means that God CARES for all of us and his entire creation. He knows the many evils and difficulties that are besieging us and he rescues us at his own appointed time. Thus the Psalmist affirms “Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases” (Ps 115:3, CCC no 303). We should always bear in mind that while God is not the cause of the evils in the world and the difficulties we often undergo, he, sometimes permits them so as to accomplish his own design. We must always seek for God’s will in our PRAYERS, even in our difficulties and troubles. We should not also grow *FAITHLESS* when we PRAY (cf. CCC n. 2734, Mk 10:46-52). God’s time is the best and his blessings addeth no sorrow.
We pray the Blessed Virgin Mary to always support us with her powerful intercession. Amen🙏🏼
Remain blessed!
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