Created by Chris Carmody: jesusinsalem@yahoo.com and Stephanie Rangel: beverlyyouthministry@gmail.

com

Year Faith
of
2012-2013
CHALLENGE
This week pray for our men in the priesthood and for those being called to serve. Find time to offer encouragement to our parish priests and let them know that we appreciate their sacrifice! And men: if you feel the call...answer it!

10 February 2013

of Christ is unique, accomplished once for all; yet it is made present in the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Church. The same is true of the one priesthood of Christ; it is made present through the ministerial priesthood without diminishing the uniqueness of Christ's priesthood
Catechism 1545

The redemptive sacrifice

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:17-20) Last week we spoke about answering the call to our vocation in life. Many of us will be called to marriage. In fact, MOST of us are called to marriage. Yet in a very special way, there are man divinely chosen to serve as ministers to the faithful. This unique and incredibly necessary calling is referred to as priestly vocations or Holy Orders. Like Peter and Andrew, along with the rest of the Apostles, Christ called them to serve His Church...and they literally dropped everything to do it! If God is standing right in front of you, you might be a bit more inclined to what he says. In todays world its extremely counter cultural for a single, everyday, man to desire a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience. However, the Catholic priesthood is not all about what a man needs to give up but the things he receives as grace! The priest is there at every pivotal moment in our lives. He is there when we get baptized, he is there at our wedding, and when were dying he is there to send us to the Father. In so many ways the priest is the mediator between us and Christ and consequently, brings Christ to us through the sacraments. Without the institution of the priesthood, an extension of Christs power and authority here on earth, we wouldnt be able to receive Holy Eucharist or experience the mercy of God through confession. If you stop to think about the Catholic Church and the way Christ designed it, everything works in a system where the priest is acting in persona Christi, in the person of Christ. Jesus gave His people an extension of Himself through the priesthood. So why become a priest? As it is often said, because you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. You become fishers of men! Guiding, praying, serving, and leading people to Christ! The world needs real heroes, real holy men of God who will stand up for whats true, good, and beautiful. The vocation to the priesthood isnt some wacky call to put on a vestment and start splashing people with holy water. It is a life that is so rich and full of love. A man becomes father to all, gaining the opportunity to effect change! You walk in the authority of Jesus and get to wash the feet of His disciples. If you feel the call ANSWER IT! The Lord is asking you to do something incredibly special.