Christ’s Priesthood

Fr. Frederick Edlefsen

Why did the Father send his co-eternal Son to become a man named Jesus, born of the Virgin?   Per the angel in Joseph’s dream:  to save us from our sins.   When G. K. Chesterton was asked why he became Catholic, he was quite direct:  It’s is the only Church that can forgive my sins.   He was referring to Confession. “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and who sins you retain are retained” (John 20:23).  The priest’s authority to absolve sins in Jesus’ Name was established by the Risen Lord.   

Christ begins to disclose this in the story about the woman caught in adultery.  Jesus asked, “Has no one condemned you?”  She replied, “No sir.”  Jesus said, “Neither do I.  Go, and sin no more.”   In this encounter, Christ reveals himself as a priest.  When sins are sincerely disclosed to a priest of Jesus Christ, there is no condemnation.   Rather, the innocence of Baptism is restored.

Neither angels nor Mary can forgive sins.  St. John Vianney said, “Without the priest, the death and passion of our Lord would be of no avail … After God, the priest is everything…. See the power of the priest; out of a piece of bread the word of a priest makes a God … The priest continues the work of redemption on earth…The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus.” 

Through the priest, the Church does what Christ did when he forgave sins.  The priest’s spiritual authority flows from Christ’s passion and death.  When we approach any of the sacraments, we approach Jesus’ Cross and its life-giving power.   At the Last Supper, Jesus consecrated his Apostles to be the first priests of the New Covenant.   Through Holy Orders, Christ empowers priests to nurture the grace of Baptism.  

The “Holy Sacrifice” of the Mass is celebrated by a priest.  Mass makes present Christ’s death and resurrection (Paschal Mystery).   When bread and wine are consecrated separately, they make present Christ’s sacrifice.  During the Communion Rite, the priest consumes the Body and Blood of Christ under both species (bread and wine), which makes present the reunion of Christ’s Body and Blood at his resurrection.   Holy Communion is Christ’s Risen Body.   When we receive Communion, we participate most fully in Christ’s death and resurrection.  Our life becomes Christ’s life.   Christ’s death and resurrection becomes our death and resurrection.