Homily for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) 2021

Do we need priests? All Catholics ought be able to answer

For any Catholic, the automatic and instinctive answer ought be a resounding, ‘Yes!’ In Germany, however, it seems the answer is not so resounding. Over the last few months, the German Bishops have been holding a national synod, much like our own Plenary Council, and one of

Priests are mediators

Priesthood is as ancient as religion itself and features in almost every religion in history. Indeed, whenever men have turned to God in an organised and communal manner, they have felt it necessary to make use of priests. Of course, the reality of priesthood is expressed differently in each religion; even so, a basic commonality can be detected. Wherever they are found, priests are essentially mediators. A mediator facilitates communication between two people or groups. As mediators, priests facilitate communication between God and humanity.

The Letter to the Hebrews proclaims that “in Jesus, we have the supreme high priest.” Under the Old Covenant every male born of the tribe of Levi was a priest. The levites served and the high priest was chosen annually from

Whenever man has oriented himself and his civilization to the divine, he has felt it necessary to make use of priests.

Priests offer sacrifice

Priests father