Dear St. Philomena Parish Family,<\/p>\n
We are joyful this weekend to celebrate with Fr. Blake Miller! As we said previously, Fr. Blake will be at all our weekend Masses and offer the special first blessings after each Mass. Being at ordinations and experiencing the joy of the first blessings takes me back to my own ordination. How fast those years have gone by! \u00a0=) As I reflect on the gift of the priesthood, I am always thankful and joyful. This life of service has taken me all over our Diocese of Peoria and all around the country\u2014I have the joy of knowing there are great and faithful people everywhere! It has been a full and wonderful adventure\u2026and I always say way more fun than I ever thought would be possible!<\/p>\n
Continuing our Catechism<\/em> review of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, \u201cHoly Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time:\u00a0 thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees:\u00a0 episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate\u201d (CCC<\/em>, 1536).\u00a0 We will talk more about these three degrees in a couple weeks, but for now we will say they are three special ways of sharing in the ministry of Christ.<\/p>\n Why is this Sacrament called \u201cOrders?\u201d\u00a0 The Catechism<\/em> tells us that from Roman times \u201corder<\/em>\u2026designated an established civil body, especially a governing body. \u00a0Ordinatio<\/em> means incorporation into an ordo<\/em>\u2026integration into one of these bodies in the Church was accomplished by a rite called ordinatio<\/em>\u2026today the word \u2018ordination\u2019<\/em> is reserved for the sacramental act which integrates a man into the order of bishops, presbyters [priests], or deacons, and goes beyond a simple election, designation, delegation, or institution by the community\u2026\u201d\u00a0 (CCC<\/em>, 1537-1538). In the Church, we have had groups called orders from ancient times\u2014such as the order of bishops or the order of priests. Another some might be familiar with is the order of catechumens, which we use in OCIA after the Rite of Election. At various times we have also had other groups like the order of virgins or the order of widows.<\/p>\n Our Church is clear that Holy Orders are unique from other orders in that there is a gift of the Holy Spirit given that consecrates the man and gives \u201csacred power which can only come from Christ himself\u201d (CCC<\/em>, 1538). As we will see, it is this special consecration that will unite the man to Christ in a unique way and enable a priest to stand in the person of Christ in the sacraments. There are of course some Old Testament references to priests and there was an exercise of what we call the priesthood of Aaron and the Levites. While not yet a sacrament in the Old Testament, we do see consecration for service and the ministry of offering sacrifices on behalf of the people (Ex 29:1-30). One thing that will be true in every kind of priesthood will be the offering of sacrifices. Continuing with the Catechism<\/em>, \u201cEverything that the priesthood of the Old Covenant prefigured finds its fulfillment in Christ Jesus, the \u2018one mediator between God and men\u2019 [1 Timothy 2:5]\u2026Christ\u2026\u2019holy, blameless, unstained\u2019 [Hebrews 7:26], \u2018by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified\u2019 [Hebrews 10:14], that is, by the unique sacrifice of the cross\u201d (CCC<\/em>, 1544).<\/p>\n How do we share in that one perfect sacrifice? Through the Eucharist at Mass! And how do we share in the Eucharist? How is it that the Eucharist will be present on the altar at Mass? It is the work of Jesus through the hands of the ordained priest.\u00a0 The Catechism<\/em> explains, \u201cThe redemptive sacrifice of Christ is unique, accomplished once for all; yet it is made present in the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Church. The same is true of the one priesthood of Christ; it is made present through the ministerial priesthood without diminishing the uniqueness of Christ\u2019s priesthood\u2026\u201d As St. Thomas Aquinas taught, \u201cOnly Christ is the true priest, the others being only his ministers\u201d (CCC<\/em>, 1545; [Hebrews 8:4]).<\/p>\n As we reflected back when we were reviewing the Eucharist, we believe that the Mass is the Last Supper and the one true Sacrifice of the Cross. The amazing gift of the Mass is what enables us to be present there at the Cross with Jesus and to share in the fruits of His victory. For me as a priest, it is truly an amazing honor to be the hands and voice by which this happens at each Mass! It is so humbling to know that Jesus uses my voice and hands, which I often consider weak and error-prone, so that He will be truly present with His people. What an incredible gift!<\/p>\n Next week, we will talk about the different ways that all the baptized can participate in the unique priesthood of Christ. That\u2019s right\u2014if anyone is planning to just sit back and relax during the Mass\u2014Jesus has a special gift and invitation for you to participate! =) Know of my prayers and blessing for everyone this week!<\/p>\n In Christ,
\nFather Luke<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"