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One Bread, One Body - Reflection for January 18, 2017

"YOU ARE A PRIEST"

"The matter is clearer still if another priest is appointed according to the likeness of Melchizedek." –Hebrews 7:15

The Israelites were enslaved, defeated in war, starved to death, exiled, and oppressed. In their pain, they asked Yahweh how He would free them. They received the revelation that they would be saved by the priesthood.

The Christians to whom the book of Hebrews was written were persecuted and martyred by the Roman government. They "endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword's point" (Heb 11:36-37). They received the revelation that Jesus, the "High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek" (Heb 5:10), had saved them by His sacrifice on Calvary. By living the Eucharist, the presence of Jesus' perfect sacrifice on Calvary, Christians are freed by Jesus, the High Priest.

Therefore, share in Jesus' priesthood and live your baptismal priesthood (see 1 Pt 2:9; Rv 5:10) by:

Love Jesus, the High Priest. Live the Eucharist, His perfect offering. Share in Jesus' priesthood. Live your baptismal priesthood and change our culture of death into a civilization of love and life.

PRAYER: Father, teach me about my share in Christ's priesthood.
PROMISE: "His hand was perfectly restored." –Mk 3:5
PRAISE: Susan attends Mass daily and stays for adoration.

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Acknowledgement

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