Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Today's Mass Readings

The Priesthood

My spiritual director in college assigned me to read the Letter to the Hebrews. He wanted me to have some spiritual reading, to read it prayerfully while I discerned a call to the priesthood. Hebrews was a lot of theology for me to take in as a 20-year-old. I’m still striving to understand Hebrews now as a 30-year-old. But his point was to introduce me to the priesthood of Jesus Christ and how Catholic priests today participate in and carry on his kind of priesthood.

Well, although I am not ordained—I discerned a different call to monastic life—I am called to be a priest in some measure. I mean, what is a priest? One who offers sacrifice and acts as an intermediary between God and human beings. So, every human being can do this to some extent. In Christian circles, people often say they’ll “offer it up” or they’ll “pray for you.” This is priestly talk!

All baptized Christians participate in the priesthood of Jesus Christ in some measure, according to their state in life (see CCC 1591 and following). Those who are ordained to the ministerial priesthood, after discerning the call in the midst of the Church, are at the service of the Church. They serve in the name of Jesus the High Priest, and they act in the person of Christ. They are his representative, carrying on Christ’s ministry of teaching, pastoral guidance, and mediation in worship.

This is why priestly “formation” is important. It’s a big responsibility. Who can really live up to this mission? Holy priests are needed more than ever.

For Today: Let us pray for vocations to the priesthood, that good Catholic men may have the courage to be open and discern whether Christ the High Priest is calling them to participate in his mission of service.

Reflection by Br. Luke Kral, OSB