Every baptized person is a priest – not in the same way as a priest ordained by a bishop – but nonetheless a priest. A priest offers "gifts and sacrifices for sins" (Heb 5:1; 8:3). A baptismal priest is to offer the following sacrifices:
The Church teaches: "For all [the laity's] works, prayers, and apostolic undertakings, family and married life, daily work, relaxation of mind and body, if they are accomplished in the Spirit – indeed even the hardships of life if patiently born – all these become spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. In the celebration of the Eucharist these may most fittingly be offered to the Father along with the body of the Lord" (Catechism, 901).
Baptismal priests, sacrifice.
| PRAYER: | Father, may my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day be a sacrifice pleasing to You. |
| PROMISE: | "Many who are first shall come last, and the last shall come first." –Mk 10:31 |
| PRAISE: | David fasts twice a week in penance and in petition for abortionists. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College