Archive
Week of 11/25/07
Week of 11/25/07
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Why Are Catholic “Ministers” Called “Priests”?
Most Christian denominations refer to their clergy as ministers. Catholic clergy
are called Bishops, Priests and Deacons. Why do we call our clergy “priests?”
minister. The minister’s role is just that; to minister to his congregation by is
preaching on God’s word and tending to their spiritual needs to the extent that he
mediator between God and man and to offer sacrifice to God on our behalf.
The Mass is truly the sacrifice of Calvary re-presented to the Father. The
Catholic Mass:
300,000 times a day or 3 times per second the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of
the Mass begins somewhere in the world. Jesus, acting through Catholic priests, is
offering Himself to His Father as a mediator for us for the forgiveness of our
sins. It happens in Olney, Maryland every day. You are welcome to come and be
present at the Sacrifice of Calvary. Follow this link for a schedule of Masses at
St. Peter's Church. For those readers not located in Olney, Maryland, please visit
www.masstimes.org for Mass schedules at churches throughout the U.S.
Most Christian denominations refer to their clergy as ministers. Catholic clergy
are called Bishops, Priests and Deacons. Why do we call our clergy “priests?”
minister. The minister’s role is just that; to minister to his congregation by is
preaching on God’s word and tending to their spiritual needs to the extent that he
mediator between God and man and to offer sacrifice to God on our behalf.
The Mass is truly the sacrifice of Calvary re-presented to the Father. The
Catholic Mass:
- Is not a separate sacrifice – Jesus does not die again; “He has no need, as
did the high priests, to offer sacrifice day after day, first for his own sins
and then for those of the people; he did that once for all when he offered
himself.” (Hebrews 7:27) - Fulfills the prophesy in Malachi:”For from the rising of the sun, even to its
setting, my name is great among the nations; And everywhere they bring
sacrifice to my name, and a pure offering; For great is my name among the
nations, says the LORD of hosts.” - Is the sacrifice of Calvary made present: Commenting around AD 180 on the
prophesy of Malachi, St. Ireaneas wrote, “[Malachi is]—indicating in the
plainest manner, by these words, that the former people [the Jews] shall
indeed cease to make offerings to God, but that in every place sacrifice
shall be offered to Him, and that a pure one; and His name is glorified
among the Gentiles.” Since the faith of the gentiles comes after the
Sacrifice of Calvary and because Christ offered Himself “once for all,” this
prophecy only makes sense in the context of the Catholic Mass.
300,000 times a day or 3 times per second the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of
the Mass begins somewhere in the world. Jesus, acting through Catholic priests, is
offering Himself to His Father as a mediator for us for the forgiveness of our
sins. It happens in Olney, Maryland every day. You are welcome to come and be
present at the Sacrifice of Calvary. Follow this link for a schedule of Masses at
St. Peter's Church. For those readers not located in Olney, Maryland, please visit
www.masstimes.org for Mass schedules at churches throughout the U.S.