PRIESTLY PEOPLE

The first reading this weekend, from Exodus, is taken from the context of the great covenant between God and the Chosen People—it is the beginning of what by shorthand we know as the “Ten Commandments.” And the LORD’s promise is that the children of Israel can become “a kingdom of priests…”

The first letter of St Peter echoes this promise and applies it to the Christian believers: “…let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. …you are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises’ of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (I Peter 2:5, 9).
What does this mean for us today?

It’s important to note that the entire Christian community of the baptized forms this “priestly people.” We are invited (obligated, actually) to “offer spiritual sacrifices” on behalf of others. This practice is rooted in the Christian heritage of Judaism.

Jews were supposed to facilitate sacrifices for all kinds of reasons, but since the times of David and Solomon the only place to offer them was the Temple in Jerusalem. And while the persons could enable the sacrifices (by bringing or purchasing the animal to be offered), it was only the priests who could formally offer the sacrifice. And this came to an end in 70 of the Christian Era, with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Romans in the war of 66-74.

But Christians soon saw themselves as the spiritual descendants of the Jews (even if they were of Gentile background—who had their own customs of sacrifice). And as a priestly people, they heard the call to offer sacrifice—specifically, the “spiritual sacrifices” of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This is confirmed by St Paul, as well: “I urge you therefore, bothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1-2).

This is why we have a Book of Prayer Intentions, and why we bring it up to the altar during Mass, along with the bread and wine and collection, and why I paused in silence during the Eucharistic Prayer to read some of the names (and remember all the others on the other pages of that book)—these are your spiritual sacrifices and offerings on behalf of those you know and love. It is a way for you to exercise your priestly role as a baptized believer.

It is also why the collection is brought up at the same time. Yes, much of the money goes to paying salaries and power bills and supplies, but much of it also goes to charities that look to our support to help others. You might be surprised at the thousands of dollars we are able to give to others at the end of every year! It is your generosity here that enables you to “offer your bodies” in a concrete way by offering material support to brothers and sisters in need, even if you (or I) don’t know their names.

Thank you for being a priestly people—thank you for offering your bodies (with prayer, fasting, and almsgiving). Thank you for taking your part as a member of the kingdom of priests of our Lord!