The importance, the beauty, the necessity of the Cross | PadreCast Twenty-ninth Sunday Ordinary Time

The role of the priesthood - the nature of this communication with God - is always rooted in sacrifice. ...

But the priesthood doesn't actually begin in the Sacrament of Holy Orders. It begins in Baptism. Every baptized Christian is a priest.

So what is the nature of your priesthood? What are you supposed to offer in sacrifice?

The nature of this ministry that's been given to you, finds its fulfillment and its meaning in the sacrifice of Jesus.

What did Jesus offer?

He offered Himself.

You see, the gift of the holy priesthood that each one of you has received through these holy sacraments is to offer yourselves as living sacrifices.

That's your job. That's your role.

And every time you come to Holy Communion, every time you approach the altar, and you kneel down and you receive the Lord worthily, the Lord is offering Himself to you. "This is My Body. This is My Blood."

He's laying down His life for you once more. And what He expects of you is a similar act of love in return.

Your prayer should be: Lord, thank you for this Gift. I offer myself to You. I give my body, and my blood, and my soul to You Lord. ...

This mutual priestly offering symbolizes the beautiful unity that God wants to have with His holy people. We become one flesh, one Body with the Lord. Saint Paul calls us "the Body of Christ."...

If we are the Body of Christ, and it was the Body of Christ that was offered on the Cross, then our bodies as well must be offered with, in, and through the Body of Christ.

 

What is pleasing to God about this? Why would He rejoice in this opportunity?

 

Is 53:10-11; Ps 33:4-5, 18-20, 22; Heb 4:14-16; Mk 10:35-4

 

The Mass may reviewed in its entirety on our YouTube channel. Homily begins at 19:35