A PRIEST FOR EVER

PRAYER MOMENT Wednesday 21 January 2015, St Agnes A PRIEST FOR EVER Pause. Enter into the stillness of God within. Reading: “Melchizdek is king of Salem, that is, ‘king of peace’; he has no father, mother or ancestry, and his life has no beginning or ending; he is like the Son of God. He remains a priest for ever.” (Hebrews 7:1-3,15-17) Reflection. The letter to the Hebrews centers on the theme of Jesus as priest. In calling his disciples to be his witnesses he shares with them this priesthood. We are all priests in that we share in the offering of our lives together with Jesus to God. And we all receive the divine life for ourselves and for the world. Those we call ‘priests’ among us have the role of focusing this offering and receiving this life for all people, not just Christians. And these priests are instituted, ordained, to do this offering and receiving in the focused action of the Eucharist. To celebrate the Eucharist is to ‘collect’ in one charged act the thanksgiving of human beings to God for inviting us to share in his life through offering our lives and receiving his so that the two become one. Prayer. Lord Jesus, we thank you for the gift of the Eucharist through which we become one with you in a ‘marvellous exchange’. We give our poor selves; you give your divine life. Amen. David Harold-Barry SJ