The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

""THE PRIESTHOOD. 443them from the wolves that lie in wait for theirsouls.He is a father, because he breaks the bread of lifeto his spiritual children, whom he has begotten inChrist Jesus through the Gospel.1He is a judge, whose office it is to pass sentenceof pardon on self-accusing criminals.He is a physician, because he heals their soulsfrom the loathsome distempers of sin.St. John, inhis Apocalypse, represents the Churchunder the figure of a city. I saw the holy city, thenew Jerusalem, coming down from heaven, from God,1prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."Our Saviour is the Architect and Founder of thiscelestialcity. The Apostles are its foundation.The faithful are the living stones of the edifice.The anointed ministers of the Lord are the workmen chosen to adjust and polish these stones, thatthey may reflect the beauty and glory of the sun ofjustice that perpetually illumines this city. ThePriests are engaged in adorning the interior of theheavenly Jerusalem, by enriching, with virtue, theprecious souls entrusted to their charge. God gavesome, indeed, Apostles, and some prophets, and othersEvangelists, and others pastors and doctors, for theperfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry,for the building up of the body of 8Christ," whichis His Church. What an honor is this to the Priest1 1. Cor. iv 15.2Apoc. xii. 2.Eph. iv. 11, 12.