October 25, 2012 (Psalm 4:6)
‘Let the light of Your face shine upon us, O Lord.’ (Psalm 4:6)
Vatican II signaled the modern reform of the Roman Catholic Church, circa 1960’s. One of its enduring tenets was to empower the laity to do the work of the ministry. Some history: nearly 500 years earlier, the Church, in reaction to the Protestant Reformation, strengthened the role of religious ‘professionals’ and in a sense broadened the gap between clergy and laity.
Imagine the impact of entrusting the Spirit of Jesus’ priesthood to all believers! Vatican ll reminded the faithful of just that—in His Spirit and power, we can take our places and serve the Body in myriad ways. The shortage of priests is our opportunity. We can seek Jesus and ask for His priestly anointing to animate us as we serve the Church. In tandem with ordained priests, we can do our part to build up the body of Christ. May Jesus’ zeal for His house become yours; let the light of His face shine upon you for the bride.
‘But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His glorious light.’ (1Pet. 2: 9)
‘Father, anoint us with the Spirit of the priesthood. We need no position, only the joy of serving the one You love most. Set us free to serve her. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we confess our sins of cowardice and compromise. We have violated Your holy commands in regards to what we have done to our bodies and other bodies. And in our compromise we have become cowards, unwilling to stand for what we know to be true for the dignity of all. We ask that You might have mercy on Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington; uphold marriage in these states, and in our nation, as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on ‘gay marriage.’
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