The Holy Priest-Martyr Josaphat, Archbishop of Polotsk (1623); John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria (619); Nil the Faster (430); Passing into Eternal Life (1950) of Blessed Hryhoriy (Gregory) Lakota, Auxiliary Bishop of Peremyshl and Confessor
All-Night Vigil Feast. A day when the faithful are highly encouraged to participate in the Divine Liturgy
Hebrews 4:14-5:10; John 10:9-16
Read Hebrews 4:14-5:10
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Have you ever seen the icon of “Christ the High Priest?” It features Our Lord in the vestments of a bishop and can be a little startling or confusing at first glance. We are so used to seeing Jesus dressed in red and blue or the white of the Resurrection that His association with the priesthood here in the Church sometimes needs a double-take. Yet, brothers and siters, this image is completely appropriate in that it relates to something often forgotten or minimized in our current world: Christ is active and working in His priests.
St. Paul tells us today that Christ is the fulfillment of the priesthood and that His current priests serve in His ministry as the great High Priest. There is only one true priesthood, that of Christ, and every Holy Mystery we receive at the hands of a Ukrainian Catholic priest, we receive from Christ Himself through His earthly image.
In many Eastern Churches (and until recently in the Western Church) it is customary to kiss the hand of a priest after receiving a blessing. This is not an act of clericalism but of devotion to Christ the true High Priest. Our priests are channels of His Grace- whether we (or they!) know it or not.
Take some time today to focus on how you see the priesthood. Despite many tragic scandals and poor examples, can you see the Lord’s gaze in the eyes of your pastor?