Priest as a Man

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Monday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1, January 18th, 2021

Texts: Heb. 1-10; Ps. Ps. 110:1-4; Mark 2:18-22

Today's first reading reminds us that one of the requirements for being a priest is that he must be a man like us. Even Jesus Christ had to become man like us so as to be qualified as a priest, high priest. Being one like us makes him understand our weakness and able to treat us with compassion and kindness. Through his own weakness he will learn and understand that we need patience to grow in our relationship with God. It is said, "Every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness."

Being human he is a priest by God's grace; he does not deserve it. He who is a priest is qualified by God. It is said, "And one does not take the honour upon himself, but he is called by God". While Jesus condescend by taking flesh to be our high priest, man is exalted by grace to be our priest. The reading tells us that both for man and for Jesus priesthood is an honour bestowed. This means priesthood is a gift, a gift from God the Father.

The reading also goes further to tell us how the humanity of priest benefits himself: It makes him to be aware of his need of God and to be obedient to Him. It is explained in the context of Jesus' life. It is said, "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered". Obedience to God perfects a priest and helps him to effect salvation for the people. Hence, it is said, "and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him". Obedience helps priest to represent perfectly the will of God that those who obey him wins salvation. 

Just as being human makes priest aware of their needs of God and to be obedient to Him so also our being human is to make us aware of our needs of God and also to be obedient to Him. As obedience also makes priest perfect so also it makes us perfect. Hence, to be perfect we need obedience to God.

The reading emphasizes the benefits of priest's humanity to us and to himself, but only gives insight into the burden of the human weakness on him. Being human makes him a sinner. It is said, ". Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins". This means, sometimes, he could fall below expectation. That he is a man like us also calls us to be patient with him. We should understand him and be compassionate towards him; God has made him weak for our sake that we may understand that He is the one working in them. However, in weakness the grace of God is always in abundance. Let us pray for our priests. 

Today's gospel reading reminds us that Jesus Christ is also God. Being among His disciples, they had conversations from time to time, communicating thoughts, needs, appreciation, joys, pains etc. Since they communicated from time to time, there is no need for prayer; for prayer is a conversation between God and man. Hence, He says, "As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast." 

Lord God, grant that we may be obedient to you that we may be perfect, obtain salvation and bring others to salvation. Amen

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke