Prophet Malachi and the Modern Priesthood

On the day of his commemoration (or Jan 3), we talk about a passage from the prophet Malachi (2:1-7)and its application to the modern Christian priesthood. We indeed are “messengers of the Lord Almighty,” but only if we are true priests. We talk about what a true priest is and what he does not. The Old Testament is not obsolete. We talk about how its description of the Jewish priesthood applies to the Christian priesthood. A priest's primary purpose is the same as anyone else’s purpose. He is born to know God. As he struggles to know God and follow the commandments, the grace of ordination helps him to help others to fulfill their purpose. If a priest is not struggling to live a robust inner life, he is almost useless.