Saint John Chrysostom.
''The work of the priesthood is done on earth, but it is ranked among heavenly ordinances. And this is only right, for no man, no angel, no archangel, no other created power, but the Paraclete Himself ordained this succession, and persuaded men, while still remaining in the flesh to represent the ministry of angels. The priest, therefore, must be pure as if he were standing in heaven itself, in the midst of those powers'' (On the Priesthood)
Comment: Christ in His unparalleled love for humanity, is our only true Priest, yet He wished to communicate the merits and graces of His bloody immolation on Calvary to souls who were not present.
All the faithful in virtue of their baptism receive a share in the priesthood of our Saviour and Victim, yet those men who are blessed enough to be called 'priests' of the Catholic Faith act as 'other Christs' who offer the Pure Sacrifice for the remission of sins to the Eternal Father, in His most sacred Person.
Although the priest must be more fully conformed to the Son than the rest of us, he can only enter the Holy of Holies with fear and tembling, he is still a creature and owes adoration to the Blessed Trinity, his Lord.
Let us reverence and honour our priests as Christ Himself.
''The work of the priesthood is done on earth, but it is ranked among heavenly ordinances. And this is only right, for no man, no angel, no archangel, no other created power, but the Paraclete Himself ordained this succession, and persuaded men, while still remaining in the flesh to represent the ministry of angels. The priest, therefore, must be pure as if he were standing in heaven itself, in the midst of those powers'' (On the Priesthood)
Comment: Christ in His unparalleled love for humanity, is our only true Priest, yet He wished to communicate the merits and graces of His bloody immolation on Calvary to souls who were not present.
All the faithful in virtue of their baptism receive a share in the priesthood of our Saviour and Victim, yet those men who are blessed enough to be called 'priests' of the Catholic Faith act as 'other Christs' who offer the Pure Sacrifice for the remission of sins to the Eternal Father, in His most sacred Person.
Although the priest must be more fully conformed to the Son than the rest of us, he can only enter the Holy of Holies with fear and tembling, he is still a creature and owes adoration to the Blessed Trinity, his Lord.
Let us reverence and honour our priests as Christ Himself.
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