sine matre, sine patre, sine genealogia - 2nd week wednesday 2015

Our priesthood does not come from Aaron or Levi which is the priestly line of the chosen people.  Our priesthood is a sharing in the priesthood of Jesus, whose priesthood is pre-figured by the priesthood of Melchizedeck.   Melchizedeck is a mysterious figure.  He is king and priest of Salem.  As the letter to the Hebrews attests he is not a member of the chosen race, he is sine matre, sine patre, sine genealogia (without mother, without father, without lineage); he does not have a beginning, and he does not have an end.

These qualities in Melchizedeck have repercussion in our priesthood. 

First since Melchizedeck is not a member of the chosen race we can conclude thus that the priesthood is a gift.  You cannot claim it as a right or as a privilege of your class or race or as birthright.  It is a gift.  God gives it to whomever he wishes.  Discernment therefore is trying to discover whether I have this gift or not.

Second sine matre, sine patre, sine genealogia.  This is also a sign that a priest in order to fulfil his mission should be ready to leave his family behind.  You are set apart, not because you are not human but because you have a different mission.  St. John of Avila said, “Priests must be so forgetful of their family and relations for they are like Melchizedek in this world, as far as their heart is concerned--having nothing that ties their heart and slows them up on their way to God."

Is somebody tying down your heart and slowing you down on your way to God?

And lastly the priesthood is without beginning or end.  The priesthood is forever.  It is not a job.  It is a relationship with God and his church.  One cannot say I resign from the priesthood or I am retiring from the priesthood.  Neither can the bishop say you’re fired from the priesthood.  It is not a job.  It is a relationship for better or for worse.

Think about these three things.