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Homily for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord



At our baptism, we were grafted onto Jesus Christ, and just as he was a priest, prophet and king, so we too participate in those same roles in our own Christian lives.

In the interest of full disclosure, much of this homily was lifted from Fr. Robert Barron, a priest whom I respect and admire a great deal (after all, the good borrow, the great steal). Find more of his (better) homilies here. You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes by clicking here.

Here are some passages from the Catechism related to our incorporation into Christ the priest, prophet and king:

CCC 783
Jesus Christ is the one whom the Father anointed with the Holy Spirit and established as priest, prophet, and king. The whole People of God participates in these three offices of Christ and bears the responsibilities for mission and service that flow from them.
CCC 1241
The anointing with sacred chrism, perfumed oil consecrated by the bishop, signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian, that is, one "anointed" by the Holy Spirit, incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest, prophet, and king.
CCC 1546
Christ, high priest and unique mediator, has made of the Church "a kingdom, priests for his God and Father." 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."