Priests in Unexpected Places

 

“and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation…” Exodus 19:6a

Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard a recurring theme – typically a sign that the Holy Spirit wants to teach me something. The theme addresses a Protestant doctrine which I have long known, though rarely thought deeply about: the doctrine of universal priesthood (or the priesthood of all believers). Now, I could spend a hundred blog posts discussing what different Protestants think this “doctrine” MEANS…But thankfully, for your sake, I won’t. To be more brief, the principle is founded mainly upon the following passage from I Peter:

“…you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”

As an Anglican, I do not believe universal priesthood excludes the Church’s need for men and women to be set apart specifically for liturgical and sacramental roles. In fact, while many use this doctrine to dismiss structures of authority – which God has set in place for our good, I do not see any ground for such arguments in Scripture (see Acts 14:23, Romans 15:16, Titus 1:5). Instead, I believe that all Christians are called to be “priests” in the sense that we are each responsible for the preservation and propagation of the Gospel – wherever God may call us to live and serve in our daily lives.

When I graduated from seminary and decided to step back from vocational ministry for a time…I assumed my weekly life (apart from Sundays and devotional times) would be…well, somewhat secular…free from liturgy, worship planning, preaching, and so on. Surely I should have realized the flaw in my thinking. I may not have a stole or chasuble, but I am, nonetheless, a priest. What, then, is my parish? My parish is our cozy, two-bedroom apartment home (since I am a full time homemaker, right now). My parishioners? A 10-month old little boy, an overactive miniature dachshund, and any guests or visitors who step into our humble abode. I can’t stop thinking about this idea…that when I wake up in the morning, I am called to teach and live out the Gospel as I go throughout my day. I am called to make my home a sacred space in which all who enter may encounter the living God. For me, being a priest means “preaching” the good news at home as I teach my son and encourage my husband. It means interceding in prayer for my neighbors, friends, and family. It means worshiping God as I vacuum, cook, and clean toilets. It means structuring my day around Scripture, prayer, and praise…rather than my own “to-do” list. If I truly lived each day remembering my “ordination” to this calling, how different my attitude would be!

No matter what our vocation, we all start to feel as though what we do, day in and day out, doesn’t really matter that much. How wrong we are! Every Christian has a high and holy calling: to serve as priests in the ministry of reconciliation. As St. Paul teaches:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.” I Corinthians 5:17-20

So where is YOUR parish? And who are YOUR parishioners? Whom has God called you to serve, teach, and encourage in the midst of your daily routine? Whether a cashier, realtor, doctor, or mom…you represent Christ as his ambassador to a lost world. I pray this knowledge will inspire you to live into your priestly identity this week!

Welcoming the Stranger

Today, the western Church celebrates the feast of St. Brigid (with many eastern Christians celebrating on Feb. 14). This remarkable woman is one of Ireland’s patron saints (along with Saint Patrick). She is remember as an Irish Christian nun, abbess, and founder of several monasteries. St. Brigid is also revered for her great compassion toward the poor and hospitality for all. There is a beautiful poem attributed to her where she describes her desire for a heavenly community (here is one version of it): 

I long for a great lake of ale

I long for the meats of belief and pure piety 

I long for the flails of penance at my house 

I long for them to have barrels full of peace 

I long to give away jars full of love 

I long for them to have cellars full of mercy

I long for cheerfulness to be in their drinking 

I long for Jesus too to be there among them.

On this day, St. Brigid reminds all Christians that we are charged with the sacred task of hospitality. In Matthew 25, Jesus describes the actions a his true followers:

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me…Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” 

The Church is called to be the earthly expression of St. Brigid’s vision for heavenly community – a community that God is transforming into the perfect bride of Christ. We are the community that God uses to bring about His Kingdom…to show compassion for the poor, love for the enemy, welcome to the stranger.  The Gaelic song called “The Rune of Hospitality” echoes Christ’s words in Matthew so well…

“I saw a stranger yestreen; I put food in the eating place, drink in the drinking place, music in the listening place, and in the name of the Triune. He blessed myself and my house, my cattle and my dear ones, and the lark said in her song often, often, often, goes the Christ in the stranger’s guise, often, often, often, goes the Christ in the stranger’s guise.”

(From the Gaelic: The Rune of Hospitality)