Interesting stuff about the priesthood and the pope.

Moses (R) and Aaron (L)

When God made Aaron, the brother of Moses, the first high priest, he officially set up the office of priest in perpetuity (a man so ordained would remain a priest forever and the office of the priesthood would continue forever):

Exodus 29:9 – 11 To wit, Aaron and his children, and thou shalt put mitres upon them; and they shall be priests to me by a perpetual ordinance.

The high priest was endowed with awesome responsibilities, special powers and extraordinary authority. A high priest normally served for life (until later times, when that was changed). He was in charge of all the other priests, as well as the administration of the Tabernacle or Temple. When he died, his office was to be handed down to his successor:

Exodus 29:29 – 30 And the holy vesture, which Aaron shall use, his sons shall have after him, that they may be anointed, and their hands consecrated in it. He of his sons that shall be appointed high priest in his stead, and that shall enter into the tabernacle of the testimony to minister in the sanctuary, shall wear it seven days.

It was also normal for the high priest to prophecy. His prophetic words were considered to come straight from God. This was true even for corrupt high priests (like Caiphus, who condemned Jesus):

John 11:49 – 53 But one of them, named Caiphas, being the high priest that year, said to them: You know nothing. Neither do you consider that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people and that the whole nation perish not. And this he spoke not of himself: but being the high priest of that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation. And not only for the nation, but to gather together in one the children of God that were dispersed. From that day therefore they devised to put him to death.

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The critical importance of attending Sunday Mass

The Papacy and the Priesthood

One of the hallmarks of the Catholic faith is our belief that
the Pope is God’s designated and true representative on earth.

Firmly rooted in Scripture and confirmed
from the earliest times by Apostolic Tradition,
the primacy of Simon Peter,“the Rock”
whose office and authority lives on today
in Benedict, our current Pope,
remains the solid earthly foundation
on which the Roman Catholic Church is built.

When God made Aaron, the brother of Moses,
the first high priest, he set up the office of priest in perpetuity
(a man so ordained would remain a priest forever
and the office of the priesthood would continue forever):

Exodus 29:9-11
To wit, Aaron and his children,
and thou shalt put mitres upon them;
and they shall be priests to me by a perpetual ordinance.

The high priest was endowed with awesome
responsibilities, special powers and extraordinary authority.
A high priest normally served for life
(until later times, when that was changed).

He was in charge of all the other priests,
as well as the administration of the Tabernacle or Temple.
When he died, his office was to be handed down to his successor:

Exodus 29:29-30
And the holy vesture, which Aaron shall use,
his sons shall have after him, that they may be anointed,
and their hands consecrated in it.
He of his sons that shall be appointed high priest
in his stead, and that shall enter into
the tabernacle of the testimony to minister in the sanctuary,
shall wear it seven days.

It was also normal for the high priest to prophesy.
His prophetic words were considered to come straight from God.
This was true even for corrupt high priests:

John 11:49-53
But one of them, named Caiphas,
being the high priest that year, said to them:
You know nothing. Neither do you consider
that it is expedient for you that one man
should die for the people
and that the whole nation perish not.
And this he spoke not of himself:
but being the high priest of that year,
he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation.
And not only for the nation,
but to gather together in one the children of God
that were dispersed. From that day therefore
they devised to put him to death.

Read more

The Pope and Infallibility: What’s the deal?

Q: The Pope and infallibility: What’s the deal?

A: All the genuine prophets of old were also endowed with the power of infallibility when they spoke the “word of the Lord” to the people of Israel.

Caiaphas, the hopelessly corrupt high priest who sent Jesus to his death, was able to speak infallibly, according to the power of his office, occupying the “Chair of Moses” (John 11:49).

When speaking on matters of faith and morals, as the chief pastor of the Church, and when he declares himself to be doing so, the Pope is also capable of speaking infallibly, occupying the “Chair of Peter”.

While this matter was officially confirmed by the whole church only a couple of hundred years ago, it was understood and accepted by the church since the earliest days, mainly because when God himself says that he will bind in Heaven whatever you (the pope) choose to bind on earth (Matthew 16:19) that is just about as infallible as any non-divine human can get.

Near as we can tell, over some 2,000 years, the pope has spoken infallibly in that way, only TWICE.

Nothing new, novel, or abusive there, at all.

Why is Jesus called the high priest if there are no priests in new testament?

Q: Why is Jesus called the high priest if there are no priests in new testament?

A: Priests offer sacrifice to God for the people. Ministers … just minister. Only some protestants (erroneously) believe that there are no priests in the new testament.

Jesus, our heavenly high priest IS the definitive sacrifice of the new covenant … and he is also the only sacrifice that is acceptable to God the Father.

When he gave us the basic liturgy for the Mass at the Last Supper, and he told us to remember him in that way, Jesus gave us the means for practical worship and acceptable sacrifice, as atonement for the sins of the world.

Jesus personally instituted the new testament priesthood at the Last Supper, when he instructed the apostles.

Those who later separated themselves from the Catholic Church also separated themselves from the power of the priesthood … and that’s the main reason why protestant communion is merely symbolic, and will never be anything more than crackers and grape juice.

Contrary to what some people claim, Catholics do not crucify Christ again at each Mass. We simply offer up Jesus, the one time, once for all, eternal sacrifice for sin, to our Father in heaven, with Jesus the High Priest at the very head of the congregation, every single time.

That’s why it’s necessary for the real presence of Jesus to be there on the altar for us at Mass … body, blood, soul, and divinity … just as Jesus assured us it would be … and that’s why we can always be absolutely sure that God the Father will find our sacrifice to be acceptable to him, every single time … no matter how unworthy or sinful we might be.

The old testament Levitical priesthood was the ancient biblical ante-type of the new covenant priesthood, which is truly empowered by God, to do all these wonderful things (and more) for us.