At Sunday Mass, this last weekend, we read from the book of
Exodus how God has formed his people into a kingdom of priests—a royal
priesthood. Being the people God made us to be involves a priestly dimension. All
of us, all of the baptized have priestly duties.
In his recent catechesis on the documents of Vatican II,
Pope Leo talks about this priestly dimension of our lives—he says, “we exercise
our royal priesthood through prayer, asceticism and active charity, and by
doing so, we bear witness to a life renewed by God’s grace.” Those three
priestly activities should sound familiar, they are the three Lenten practices—prayer,
fasting, and almsgiving—which we all strive to engage in more perfectly during
the Lent season.
In our Gospel reading today, we read of Jesus teaching about
these three priestly duties—a Gospel which we read on the first day of Lent
every year—on Ash Wednesday. He says, “when you pray”, “when you fast”, “when
you give alms”. His disciples are expected to engage in these activities not
just during the season of Lent, but always. They are part of the ordinary
priestly duties of the baptized.
The Lord doesn’t just tell explain THAT we are to engage in
these duties, but HOW we are to engage in them: “when you pray, when you fast,
when you give alms” don’t do so that others may see you, or to win the praise
of others. Our intention for our priestly duties mustn’t be for worldly
attention, rather, as Pope Leo explained, echoing the sentiments of Our Blessed
Lord, “we exercise our royal priesthood through prayer, asceticism and active
charity, and by doing so, we bear witness to a life renewed by God’s grace.”
Our intention must be to bear witness to God, to show others
that the relationship with God transforms human life, renews us. Prayer directed
to God, renews us, it is a sipping of the fountain of eternal life. Fasting
renews us, for it is restraining the bodily appetites in order to focus on what
truly matters—for man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that
comes from the mouth of God. And almsgiving, charitable work, renews us,
because it is a participation in the life of God who is love—and that
participation transforms us like gold in a furnace.
The priestly dimension of our Christian life is not simply a
sacrifice to detracts from us—giving of our time and effort in order to pray,
in order to fast, in order to give alms enables us to share in the very life of
God.
May we engage in them more fervently, more seriously, but
also in great joy, bearing witness to God for the glory of God and the
salvation of souls.
As God’s royal priesthood, we intercede for the needs of the
world and the needs of the Church.
For Pope Leo, our bishops, priests, and deacons: that their
ministry may strengthen the faithful to live their baptismal dignity with
renewed fervor and joy.
For all Christians: that we may pray not for human praise,
but from a sincere desire for communion with God.
That through fasting and asceticism, we may discover the
freedom of living by the word of God.
For the poor, the lonely, the sick, and all who depend upon
the charity of others: that the almsgiving and active love of Christians may
reveal to them the tenderness of God. Let us pray to the Lord.
For our young people on summer vacation and those attending
our Vacation Bible School this week: that they may be blessed with faith-filled
homes, and protected from all physical and spiritual harm.
For the faithful departed: that, purified of every sin, they
may share forever in the life and love of God.
Heavenly Father, you have made us your holy people through
Baptism and called us to bear witness to your grace in the world. Hear the
prayers we offer today, and strengthen us to live our priestly calling with
sincerity, humility, and joy. Through Christ our Lord.
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