1) There is the Old Testament Levitical priesthood, the priesthood under the Law, which was passed from father to son, with Aaron as the common ancestor.
2) There is the Priesthood of Melchizedek, which continues today as the ministerial priesthood, and of which Christ is the High Priest.
3) Then, there is the Royal Priesthood, the priesthood of all believers. It is firmly established in Scripture.
"You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." - Acts 19:6
"Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God’s sight chosen and precious; and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Pet 2:4-5
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Pet 2:9
"[Thou] hast made them a kingdom and priests to our God," Rev 5:10
What does this Royal Priesthood entail? The Levitical Priesthood offered a sacrifice of animals, or grains. The Priesthood of Melchizedek represents the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary, but in an unbloody fashion, under the appearance of bread and wine. And both of them, in their own fashion, minister to the people of God.
The Royal Priesthood, like any priesthood, ministers primarily to those who are not necessarily part of it. But it encompasses the whole of the people of God; indeed, we are ordained into it by virtue of our baptism.
So, to whom does the Royal Priesthood primarily minister?
To the world. To the lost.
And how do we minister?
By Acts of Mercy - both Corporal and Spiritual, of course.
But, also through our sacrifices.
What sacrifices?
"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God" - Heb 13:15
We in the church have been given a wondrous gift - that is, those of us in bodies that worship liturgically. We have, as members of the Royal Priesthood, our own sacrificial liturgy that we can offer on behalf of others. Whether it's called The Divine Hours, The Liturgy of the Hours, or the Divine Office, it is still the same thing - a sacrifice of praise.
There is another priesthood, another type of sacrifice. Every time a baby is aborted, it is a satanic, human sacrifice. And, the most effective method of fighting it is not through politics or education, although those things have their place.
No, the way for the Royal Priesthood to fight this horrendous, satanic, evil practice is in the spiritual realm - by the offering of the Sacrifice of Praise.
I invite every Christian - Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox - in the Syracuse Area to join us on Friday, August 7, 2015, at 6:00 PM in front of Planned Parenthood, 1120 E Genesee Street, as we offer the Sacrifice of Praise.
And, if you are not in the Syracuse Area, why not consider a Vespers for Life in your city or town?
We will this month offer sacrifice via the Roman Liturgy of the Hours, the Votive Vespers of Jesus, Lover of Mankind (Sacred Heart) (Please print yourself a copy). Other months, it may be the Anglican or Byzantine Office.
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