Daily Mass Homily: Monday, November 12th, 2012

            This morning we tap into a religious reality that has been around for literally thousands of years—the priesthood.

            From the early books of the Bible, we see that God selects certain men to be separated from his fellows to serve God in a special way.  Originally it was a whole tribe—the Levites—who were designated priests.  Note that these men did not choose to be priests, but God chose them.

            In our first reading we heard St. Paul tell his disciple Titus to select presbyters from among men to serve God and His people.  This was an example from the beginning of the priesthood in the Catholic Church.  Once more God selects men to be, in a sense, separated from the world, to handle the holy things and teach the faith.

            What is really cool about our Catholic faith is that we are all considered priests by our very Baptism.  We are baptized priests called to consecrate the world.  

            At the same time, there is a difference in essence, not only degree (as the Second Vatican Council taught) between the ordained priesthood and priesthood of the baptized.  Christ has given us priests to lead worship, teaching and living in our society.  Please pray for your priests, that they may always have the courage to be faithful to Christ and His Church.  And know of our prayers for you.