YOUCAT Question n. 250 - Part IV. How does the Church understand the sacrament of Holy Orders?
(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 1545)
The redemptive sacrifice of Christ is unique, accomplished once for all; yet it
is made present in the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Church. The same is true of
the one priesthood of Christ; it is made present through the ministerial
priesthood without diminishing the uniqueness of Christ's priesthood:
"Only Christ is the true priest, the others being only his ministers"
(St. Thomas Aquinas, Hebr 8, 4).
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 1546)
Christ, high priest and unique mediator, has made of the Church "a
kingdom, priests for his God and Father" (Rev 1:6; cf. Rev 5:9-10; 1 Pet
2:5, 9). The whole community of believers is, as such, priestly. The faithful
exercise their baptismal priesthood through their participation, each according
to his own vocation, in Christ's mission as priest, prophet, and king. Through
the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation the faithful are "consecrated
to be… a holy priesthood" (LG 10 § 1).
No comments:
Post a Comment