A Penitent Blogger
You are a priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek...
Psalm 110:4
"In the second half of chapter 14 of the Book of Genesis, the mysterious figure of Melchizedek makes a brief appearance in sacred history. After Abram defeated Ched-or-laomer and his allies in battle, Melchizedeck, the king of Salem, 'brought out bread and wine' because he was 'priest of God most high' so that he could bless Abram. After this blessing, God made covenant with Abram, promising him that he would be a great nation and changing his name to Abraham.
"The Letter to the Hebrews links Melchizedeck's priesthood to the high priesthood of Christ. The author of Hebrews points out that Melchizedeck is one of the only figures in the book of Genesis who is not connected to parents or children. His name in Hebrew means 'king of righteousness' and as king of Salem, he is the 'king of peace' (Salem is very similar in Hebrew to shalom, which means peace). Melchizedeck is both king and priest, a combination that was unheard of in the Old Testament. He is also a prophet or one who speaks with Divine authority. Evidence of this is that when He blesses Abram all of the neighboring kings acknowledge the blessing. Most strikingly, Melchizedeck offers bread and wine in his prayer on behalf of Abram.
"The parallels are obvious. Christ is eternally begotten of the Father. He has no human father. He had no children. He was the righteous Man who through His death on the cross made peace between God and man. Jesus possesses the fullness of priesthood as priest, prophet and king. His offering on the Cross is perpetuated in the Church under the appearances of bread and wine.
"Melchizedeck points toward some important qualities for a New Testament priest. The New Testament priest is willing to cut himself off from the pursuits of the world by living a life of chaste celibacy and simplicity. In his moral life, he is upright or 'righteous' so that he can bring the abiding peace of the Kingdom of God to the world around him. He is a priest when he anoints, hears confessions and most of all when he offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The priest of the New Testament is a prophet when he teaches the faith to his flock. He is a king when he takes up the burden of leadership within the Church. In all ways, he seeks to join every fiber of his strength to the Sacrifice of Christ on Calvary."
from the Vocations website
of the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana
www.priestforever.org
(I just did a Yahoo search for "diocese vocations priest" and this site came up on the list. I thought it was particularly appropriate to post this since I'd been reflecting on Melchizedeck earlier this week. The website, by the way, says that Mr. Roberts is studying at the North American College in Rome and Deo volente will be ordained a priest in 2007.)
Psalm 110:4
"In the second half of chapter 14 of the Book of Genesis, the mysterious figure of Melchizedek makes a brief appearance in sacred history. After Abram defeated Ched-or-laomer and his allies in battle, Melchizedeck, the king of Salem, 'brought out bread and wine' because he was 'priest of God most high' so that he could bless Abram. After this blessing, God made covenant with Abram, promising him that he would be a great nation and changing his name to Abraham.
"The Letter to the Hebrews links Melchizedeck's priesthood to the high priesthood of Christ. The author of Hebrews points out that Melchizedeck is one of the only figures in the book of Genesis who is not connected to parents or children. His name in Hebrew means 'king of righteousness' and as king of Salem, he is the 'king of peace' (Salem is very similar in Hebrew to shalom, which means peace). Melchizedeck is both king and priest, a combination that was unheard of in the Old Testament. He is also a prophet or one who speaks with Divine authority. Evidence of this is that when He blesses Abram all of the neighboring kings acknowledge the blessing. Most strikingly, Melchizedeck offers bread and wine in his prayer on behalf of Abram.
"The parallels are obvious. Christ is eternally begotten of the Father. He has no human father. He had no children. He was the righteous Man who through His death on the cross made peace between God and man. Jesus possesses the fullness of priesthood as priest, prophet and king. His offering on the Cross is perpetuated in the Church under the appearances of bread and wine.
"Melchizedeck points toward some important qualities for a New Testament priest. The New Testament priest is willing to cut himself off from the pursuits of the world by living a life of chaste celibacy and simplicity. In his moral life, he is upright or 'righteous' so that he can bring the abiding peace of the Kingdom of God to the world around him. He is a priest when he anoints, hears confessions and most of all when he offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The priest of the New Testament is a prophet when he teaches the faith to his flock. He is a king when he takes up the burden of leadership within the Church. In all ways, he seeks to join every fiber of his strength to the Sacrifice of Christ on Calvary."
--Christopher Roberts, seminarian
from the Vocations website
of the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana
www.priestforever.org
(I just did a Yahoo search for "diocese vocations priest" and this site came up on the list. I thought it was particularly appropriate to post this since I'd been reflecting on Melchizedeck earlier this week. The website, by the way, says that Mr. Roberts is studying at the North American College in Rome and Deo volente will be ordained a priest in 2007.)
posted by Penitens | 2:36 PM
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