These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
In the same way, it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him: You are my son: this day I have begotten you; just as he says in another place: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. (Heb 5:1-6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102724.cfm
The Letter to the Hebrews uses priestly language to understand the role of Jesus who has entered the heavenly sanctuary. It does not use priestly language to refer to the ministers of the church. The Book of Revelation uses priestly language of the whole people of God: You made them a kingdom and priests for our God (Rev 5:10). The words employed in the scriptures for ministers of the church are secular: bishop (overseer), presbyter (elder), deacon (table waiter). Only much later and in a secondary sense, did the church use priestly language to refer to the ministers of the church. Today’s photo is from my ordination as a presbyter with Bishop Michael Begley and Deacon Steve Pendziszewski, May 6, 1978.
Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole Body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the Body’s growth and builds itself up in love. (Eph 4:7-16)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102624.cfm
Growing in every way into Christ, the head, being built up in love: all from the grace that has been given to each of us. The Blessed Virgin Mary is hailed by the Angel Gabriel as “full of grace.” In one sense Mary is the first disciple of her Son. And to all the disciples of her Son she says, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Brothers and sisters: I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace; one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Eph 4:1-6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102524.cfm
One Lord, one faith, one baptism. Preserving “the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace” seems to be just wishful thinking in times like these. Why do the letters keep repeating phrases such as these over and over again? Well, the early church must have been just as contentious as the church has been throughout its history. One Lord, one faith, one baptism reminds us that we are all members of just one family. Today's photo is of the renewal of baptismal vows at the River Jordan.
Rooted and grounded in love, may you have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:14-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102424.cfm
Rooted and grounded in love . . . The power at work within us is not one of control over others but rather one of love, God’s love that comes to us in Christ Jesus.
I became a minister (servant) by the gift of God’s grace. (Eph 3:2-12)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102324.cfm
It’s always good to check several Bible translations in order to get a better sense of what the underlying Greek text is actually saying. The word “minister” is not the word used in Greek. Rather the word is diakonos (servant). When he recently named new cardinals for the church, Pope Francis suggested that the cardinals should forgo the ancient honorific, EMINENCE, and use instead the more humble title “Servant” or “Deacon.” It remains to be seen if any of the cardinals, new or old, will accept this change. Cardinals generally like to think of themselves as the “princes” of the church rather than as “servants.” Today's photo is of the ordination of deacons at Saint Meinrad Archabbey Church, Indiana, on March 26, 1977.
