THREE FOLD MISSION

• Priest


  One who offers sacrifice on behalf of others and/or himself
• Jesus as Priest


  • Jesus is uniquely priest by his very being and actions
  • In sharing Christ's kingly ministry we are called to forgive and be reconciled with one another
  • Christ gives the dignity of Royal Priesthood to the people he has made his own
• Roles of a priest

  • Disciple - called to follow Jesus
  • Apostle - sent to serve in the mission of the Church
• Hebrews 5:8-10: 'Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him, declared by God as high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.'
• Jesus as Priest


  • His whole life was an offering to God
  • His death is the perfect sacrifice and His resurrection brings salvation to us all
  • The challenge for us, is to make Christ's perfect sacrifice ever present and operative in our lives
  • Our sharing in the priestly mission of Christ is an ongoing call to live a life of sacrifice
• Prophet


  One who teaches others the way they should live, so as to avoid evil and embrace the good
• Jesus as Prophet


  • He proclaimed the Word of God with authority
  • Christ commissioned His disciples to carry on His works, to proclaim the Kingdom of God and we are also called to respond in His call
  • Jesus taught His disciples how to pray and sent His H.S. to empower them to worship in Spirit and truth
• Prophets


  • Moses - gave the Law, Torah
  • Elijah and Isaiah - commented on the Law, Torah, and exhorted the people to be faithful to the Torah
• Jesus as Prophet


  • He spoke of the word of God
  • He spoke with authority
  • He backed up what He said not only with deeds of power but with the incontestable testimony of his own life
  • He announced the coming of God's reign
  • He pointed to its presence in the midst of people
  • He called people to conversion and granted forgiveness of sins
  • He denounced evil and destroy its manifestations with boldness and love
• King


  • A shepherd, one who governs and uses his authority so that others may be brought to the fullness of their potential
  • The gift of authority, in the Church, is only properly used when it is employed to build up the Church, and grow the kingdom of God, which is like a seed
• Jesus as King


  • Jesus is king who serves
  • Jesus as king is the model of loving service
  • Jesus as king calls us to praise His Father
• Why did the people of His time not recognize His kingship?


  Jesus is really a king
• Luke 22:26: '"Let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant… I am among you as the one who serves."'
• Jesus as King


  • Jesus is king as He was anointed by the Father at His Baptism
  • Jesus is King as He was welcomed by the people in Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday
  • Jesus is King as He admitted in His trial before Pilate
  • He was a King, but He washed the feet of His own disciples
  • He came, not to be served, but to serve, to lay down His life as a ransom for all
  • The Father had given everything into His hands, but He used this power not to dominate and destroy but to give life and build up. His kingdom does not conform to the values of this world. It does not belong to this world