Catechetical Corner – What’s in a bow?

‘He’s a holy man, a walking saint’. ‘I can’t stand your man, have you seen him around town? As for the other fella, don’t get me started.’ ‘I love him, I think he’s great.’ We all have our own opinions and views of priests, even the priests of our parish. Often, those opinions can be formed from very good, very bad, sad and even deeply painful experience. And yet, when we come to Mass we are expected to call him Father, to bow before him and to treat him with respect, reverence and honour.

So why do we bow to the priest at Mass? Is he on some kind of ego-trip and we are expected to play along? The answer to that is no, and it couldn’t be further from the reality.  From the beginning, GOD selected men through whom HE chose to work; Moses, Abraham, Isaiah, Elijah and so on. Could GOD not just have spoken to us directly? Of course HE could! GOD has no need of us for anything, but He chose imperfect, flawed, sinful men to speak for HIM: ‘Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man…’ said St Peter to Jesus (Lk. 5:8).

In Baptism we are all incorporated into what is called the ‘common priesthood’ of Christ. We all offer sacrifice according to our state or vocation in life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says this: ‘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.”’ (CCC #1546)

This common priesthood differs to that of the ordained/ministerial priesthood. In ordination a priest is given a share in the priesthood of Christ in a different way than that of the ‘common priesthood’ of all the baptised. ‘While the common priesthood of the faithful is exercised by the unfolding of baptismal grace…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.’ (CCC #1547)

There is only one priest and that is Christ. The ministerial priest shares in the priesthood of Christ and offers the same sacrifice that Christ offers. When a priest is ordained, he is not only configured to Christ the Priest, but also to Christ the Prophet and King. He shares in the threefold office of Christ, which means he sanctifies with Christ’s grace (Priest), he teaches with Christ’s authority (Prophet), and governs with Christ’s care (King). At the liturgy, especially the Mass, the priest stands before us as a king in service, not a ruler of pride, but one who reigns through sacrifice. He presides not from a throne, but from an altar; not with a crown of gold, but with a heart conformed to the Cross.

(To be continued)