combat boots

1 peter 2:2-5,9-12; Psalm 100 Come with Joy into the presence of the Lord; Mark 10:46-52

"let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Just in case we forgot, the priesthood is larger than those who are ordained. All of us who have been made wet by the waters of baptism have been initiated into the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

"The whole community of believers is, as such, priestly. The faithful exercise their baptismal priesthood through their participation, each according to his own vocation, in Christ's mission as priest, prophet, and king. Through the sacraments of baptism and Confirmation the faithful are "consecrated to be...a holy priesthood." ( Catechism of Catholic Church 1546)

The priesthood of the faithful is an unfolding of baptismal grace-a life of faith, hope, and charity, a life according to the spirit. (CCC 1547)


All of us are capable of doing what we were taught from early on, "offer it up." We can make those things in our life, "holy, set apart." We can invite God to fill those things with his life and grace, no matter what they are.

"Offering it up" is truly what we as a priestly people are called to do. We have a voice that is heard. In some sense, we all stand between the breech of heaven and earth and invoke the power of God to come in and transform our lives and thus build the kingdom.

"We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 peter 2)

So there fore put on your combat boots and "wage the war" against worldly desires as St Peter invites us and remember you do not go alone. Be the priestly people we are all capable of being in Christ Jesus.