Our Common Priesthood : ‘Communion of Saints’

Our ‘title theme’ (in #33 mode) is all about ‘The Common Priesthood of the Faithful’ to be a ‘Communion of Saints’ ::: “For where two or three are gathered together unto my name, there I am in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20) ::: The Church (under the guidance of the Holy Spirit) stands at the centre of this ‘vision of holiness’ –

Her purpose is to unite all men in Christ

The ‘mission of the laity’ (‘our common priesthood’) is to ‘unite our lives’ – wherever we may be and whatever we may be doing – with the ‘one true priest’ : Jesus Christ. Our priesthood is a ‘priesthood of the ordinary’ –

‘Everything is Sacramental in God’s love’

– ‘Life itself’ is a Sacramental Communion –

Note: This website’s (‘Konect 1-2-1’) frontpage ‘sets down’ our Christian vocation in terms of (“childlike”) ‘ABC’ ::: AFFIRM ::: BLESS ::: CELEBRATE –

‘Encountering Christ each and every day’

– Called to be an ‘other’ Christ in the World –

– Discipleship in Christ for each Person –

So, HOW might we ‘respond’? We can take either of two ‘clearcut’ – your “yes” is “yes” or your “no” is “no” – options ::: ‘DRAW’ (out) – ‘Die (to self) / Recognise / Acknowledge / Welcome’ ::: or ‘WARD’ (off) – ‘Wage / Antagonistic / Relational / Defiance’. Yes, we have a ‘consequential lifetime choice’ to make in terms of “LOVE / COMMUNION” or “HATE / ISOLATION”, as ‘set out’ in Matthew 5:38-40.

Now, we ‘really’ do need a ‘reality’ check, here ::: and, it’s this –

‘We are the visible side of the invisible’

– we can respond with our “smiles” or “frowns” –

– we can react with an “open” or “closed” heart –

St. Paul’s letter to the Romans presents ‘foundational home truths’ for the Christian Way of Life ::: “patience in trouble” (Romans 5:1-11) ::: “walking in the Spirit” (Romans 8:1-17) ::: “trusting in God” (Romans 8:18-39). The golden thread running through Romans is: we have sinned, but have been redeemed by Jesus the Christ. 

So, St. Paul says : “My brothers and sisters, I implore you by God’s mercy to offer your very selves to him : a living sacrifice, dedicated and fit for his acceptance, the worship offered by mind and heart. Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattern of this present world, but let your minds be remade and your whole nature thus transformed. Then you will be able to discern the will of God, and know what is good, acceptable and perfect” 

(Romans 12;1-2).

Salvation / Sainthood is a Gift Exchange ‘VIA’ The CROSS – God’s Gift of “new” Life in Christ and our ‘common priesthood’ gift of ourselves (in return). Fellowship (“KOINONIA”) is God’s people getting together and sharing the life of Christ in its unity ‘VIA’ the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit made such a change in Paul’s life that he actually viewed his “old” life (before he found Christ) as garbage. Paul had now a burning desire to know Christ more completely ::: ‘Power of His Resurrection’ ::: ‘Fellowship of His Sufferings’. In sum: Paul (with all his heart and soul) wanted to take up his cross and follow Christ ::: “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). And, our own personal Priesthood / Sainthood (‘intimacy with God’) is per Philippians 3:7-19 ::: ‘nothing matters but Christ’.

Daniel (www.konect-1-2-1.com) 5/9/19