The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

""""HowLord doeth.allTHE PRIESTHOOD. 443But I have called you friends, becausethings whatsoever I have heard of My Father, Ilhave made .known to you."What a privilege to be the herald of God s lawto the nations of the earth :beautiful onthe mountains are the feet of him that bringethgood tidings, and that preacheth peace of him that:showeth forth good, that preacheth salvation, thatsaith to Sion: Thy God shall reign."2Howcherished a favor to be the bearer of the olive-branchof peace to a world deluged by sin ;to be appointedby Heaven to proclaim that Gospel which bringsglory to God, and peace to men ; that Gospelwhich strengthens the weak, converts the sinner,reconciles enemies, and consoles the afflicted heart,and holds out to all the hope of eternal salvation !Not only are Priests the ambassadors of God, butthey are also the dispensers of His graces, and thealmoners of His mercy. Let a man so regard us,"says the Apostle, as ministers of Christ, and dispensers of the smysteries of God."How can he be called a dispenser of God smysteries, whose labors are confined to preaching? Buthe is truly a dispenser of divine mysteries who distributes -to the faithful the sacraments, the mysterious symbols, and efficient causes of grace.As St. John Ghrysostom observes, it was not toangels or archangels, but to the Priests of the Is ewLaw that Christ said : Whatsoever you shall bind1John xv. 15.2 Isaiah lii. 7. I. Cor. iv. 1.