baptized, priestly, and sacrificial
"Gather my faithful ones before Me, those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice." —Psalm 50:5
Every baptized person is a priest — not in the same way as a priest ordained by a bishop — but nonetheless a priest. A priest offers "gifts and sacrifices for sins" (Heb 5:1; 8:3). A baptismal priest is to offer the following sacrifices:
- his or her body as a living sacrifice (Rm 12:1),
- "a sacrifice of praise" (Heb 13:15),
- "good deeds and generosity," for "God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind" (Heb 13:16),
- the great oblation of keeping God's law (Sir 35:1),
- the peace offering of observing the commandments (Sir 35:1),
- the sacrifices of charity and almsgiving (Sir 35:2), and
- the atonement of avoiding injustice (Sir 35:3).
The Church teaches: "For all [the laity's] works, prayers, and apostolic undertakings, family and married life, daily work, relaxation of mind and body, if they are accomplished in the Spirit — indeed even the hardships of life if patiently born — all these become spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. In the celebration of the Eucharist these may most fittingly be offered to the Father along with the body of the Lord" (Catechism, 901).
Baptismal priests, sacrifice.
Prayer: Father, may my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day be a sacrifice pleasing to You.
Promise: "Many who are first shall come last, and the last shall come first." —Mk 10:31
Praise: David fasts twice a week in penance and in petition for abortionists.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Redemptive Suffering on audio AV 75-1 or video V-75.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 2, 2012
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