Saturday, February 25, 2017
Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 250 - Part II.
(Youcat answer - repeated) The priests
of the Old Covenant saw their duty as mediating between heavenly and earthly things,
between God and his people. Since Christ is the “one mediator between God and
men” (1 Tim 2:5), he perfected and ended that priesthood. After Christ
there can be an ordained priesthood only in Christ, in Christ’s
sacrifice on the Cross, and through a calling and apostolic mission from
Christ.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 1541)
The liturgy of the Church, however, sees in the priesthood of Aaron and the
service of the Levites, as in the institution of the seventy elders (Cf. Num
11:24-25), a prefiguring of the ordained ministry of the New Covenant. Thus in
the Latin Rite the Church prays in the consecratory preface of the ordination
of bishops: God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,… by your gracious word you
have established the plan of your Church. From the beginning, you chose the
descendants of Abraham to be your holy nation. You established rulers and
priests and did not leave your sanctuary without ministers to serve you.... (Roman Pontifical, Ordination of Bishops
26, Prayer of Consecration).
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) A Catholic priest who administers the
sacraments acts not on the basis of his own power or moral perfection (which
unfortunately he often lacks), but rather “in persona Christi”. Through his
ordination, the transforming, healing, saving power of Christ is grafted onto
him. Because a priest has nothing of his own, he is above all a servant. The distinguishing
characteristic of every authentic priest, therefore, is humble astonishment at
his own vocation.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 1542)
At the ordination of priests, the Church prays: Lord, holy Father,… when you
had appointed high priests to rule your people, you chose other men next to
them in rank and dignity to be with them and to help them in their task.... you
extended the spirit of Moses to seventy wise men.... You shared among the sons
of Aaron the fullness of their father's power (Roman Pontifical, Ordination of Priests 22, Prayer of
Consecration).
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