Common priesthood

[dspen2005]

Through baptism do we are become initiated into the common priesthood, as an extension of Christ the High-priest???

if so, how is the ordained ministry related to the high-priesthood of CHrist?

[shortnun]

Through our baptism we are ordained "priest, prophet, and king."

If you'd like an additional reference try [b][url="http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1546.htm"]CCC 1546[/url].[/b] It includes a reference to [i]Lumen Gentium[/i] but I can't find my link to that document right now.

[Myles Domini]

Sorry to step on your toes Shortnun but I think it might helpful to post the full content of points 1546 and 1547 of the Catechism as together they illustrate how the participation in the priesthood of Christ can be twofold without contradiction and clarify the relations between them:

[quote]Two participations in the one priesthood of Christ

1546 Christ, high priest and unique mediator, has made of the Church "a kingdom, priests for his God and Father."20 The whole community of believers is, as such, priestly. the faithful exercise their baptismal priesthood through their participation, each according to his own vocation, in Christ's mission as priest, prophet, and king. Through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation the faithful are "consecrated to be . . . a holy priesthood."21

1547 The ministerial or hierarchical priesthood of bishops and priests, and the common priesthood of all the faithful participate, "each in its own proper way, in the one priesthood of Christ." While being "ordered one to another," they differ essentially.22 In what sense? While the common priesthood of the faithful is exercised by the unfolding of baptismal grace - a life of faith, hope, and charity, a life according to the Spirit - ,the ministerial priesthood is at the service of the common priesthood. It is directed at the unfolding of the baptismal grace of all Christians. The ministerial priesthood is a means by which Christ unceasingly builds up and leads his Church. For this reason it is transmitted by its own sacrament, the sacrament of Holy Orders.
[/quote]

Moreover Dspen you'll want to take a look at the Catechism's treatment of [url="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2A.HTM"]CHRIST'S FAITHFUL - HIERARCHY, LAITY, CONSECRATED LIFE[/url]. Herein, I think, will you find the best clear and concisce account of how the [i]two[/i] work as one.

[dspen2005]

thank you myles... i was just thinking about that the other day b/c in the reading for Vespers it spoke of the high priests now offering gifts and sacrfices after the one sacrifice of Christ... and immediately i wondered or rather wanted clarification on the point/relationship b/w common priesthood of laity and ministerial priesthood and the high priesthood of Christ.

[shortnun]

Thanks Myles for touching on the second part of dspen's question. Here's the quote from [i]Lumen gentium[/i] that the CCC refers to:

[quote]10. Christ the Lord, High Priest taken from among men, made the new people "a kingdom and priests to God the Father". The baptized, by regeneration and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, are consecrated as a spiritual house and a holy priesthood, in order that through all those works which are those of the Christian man they may offer spiritual sacrifices and proclaim the power of Him who has called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. Therefore all the disciples of Christ, persevering in prayer and praising God, should present themselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. Everywhere on earth they must bear witness to Christ and give an answer to those who seek an account of that hope of eternal life which is in them.

Though they differ from one another in essence and not only in degree, the common priesthood of the faithful and the ministerial or hierarchical priesthood are nonetheless interrelated: each of them in its own special way is a participation in the one priesthood of Christ. The ministerial priest, by the sacred power he enjoys, teaches and rules the priestly people; acting in the person of Christ, he makes present the eucharistic sacrifice, and offers it to God in the name of all the people. But the faithful, in virtue of their royal priesthood, join in the offering of the Eucharist. They likewise exercise that priesthood in receiving the sacraments, in prayer and thanksgiving, in the witness of a holy life, and by self-denial and active charity.

[b][url="http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html"]Lumen gentium[/url][/b][/quote]

Edited May 9, 2006 by shortnun

[phatcatholic]

there's a whole entry in the directory devoted to the distinction between the ministerial priesthood and the priesthood of the faithful:
[url="http://www.phatmass.com/directory/index.php/cat_id/614"]http://www.phatmass.com/directory/index.php/cat_id/614[/url]