GOSPEL

“This is my body. This is my blood.”

From the Gospel according to Mark 14:22-25

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them.  “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Priesthood and Common Priesthood

We celebrate the feast of Jesus Christ, the supreme and eternal priest. He makes a new covenant with God in our name, a definitive and indestructible covenant, because He offers Himself as a sacrifice and that pact can no longer fail. It is the wonderful, I would say incredible, plan of God to ensure that we will be with Him.

The Son of God becomes a priest in our name and makes us priests through baptism. This is the so-called common priesthood, in which all the laity participate, because it is expected that we too, along with Christ, will offer our lives to God for the salvation of the Church and the world.

Today, we contemplate Mary exceptionally living this common priesthood. Mary offers herself in sacrifice along with Her Son. First, at the moment when she gives Him to God for the salvation of the world, and second, because it was announced to her, and thus it happened, that a sword would pierce Her Heart.

Let us learn from Mary to live our common priesthood in our lives, united with Christ.

Applied to Married Life:

Luise: I am falling more in love with you every day, seeing your dedication and your sacrifice for me, for our family, and for so many others you are helping.

Jhon: Thank you very much, my dear wife. Everything is the work of God’s grace through the sacrifice of Christ, but it is true that from Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque I have understood that my life is to be given with and in Christ. I also see you offering your sacrifice, both physically and morally, and it makes me fall deeply in love with you.

Luise: We need to continue purifying our dedication so that it is truly priestly, without complaints, thanking God for every opportunity to give ourselves for Him and sacrificing for those who hurt us the most.

Jhon: That is not human, so we ask for grace and rely on it.

Mother,

Grant us the grace to live the common priesthood united with the only and eternal Priest and with the help of those who have received the ministerial priesthood. It is an honor to participate in it. Praised be the Lord for so many gifts He gives us through His sacrifice and through ours.