Fr. Paschal Mary | April 2, 2026
The first Jewish converts to Christianity struggled to understand how Jesus of Nazareth could be considered a Priest. After all, he was not of the family of Aaron or of the clan of Levi. On the outside of things Jesus of Nazareth did not perform the actions typical of priests. In order to understand a bit more this radical change, I will focus on the institution of the Levitical Priesthood, the ministry of the Old Law, arising below Mount Horeb.
Moses, who had spent forty days and forty nights on the mountain upon which no creature must step lest it die, descends with the tablets of God in his arms. Below he hears revelry, not of victory but of drunkenness. After all of the great signs, God had warmed the hearts of the Egyptian people to give the Israelites silver and gold as they left that land of slavery. Now there stands the golden calf.
At the gates of the camp Moses asks and acts:
“Who is on the Lord’s side? Come to me.” And the sons of Levi gather only to be sent with sword in hand to “slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.’” And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses; and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. 29 And Moses said, “Today you have ordained yourselves for the service of the Lord, each one at the cost of his son and of his brother, that he may bestow a blessing upon you this day.” (Ex 32:25-29)
The Levitical priesthood found its origin in wielding the sword against brother, companion, and neighbor. A little while later, Phineas, grandson of Aaron, merits a perpetual Priesthood by spearing a man and his wife. Lest we forget, Moses, the one who bestows these honors and speaks these words, himself was a murderer with his bare hands. Perhaps he would have murdered again if shame had not caused him to run (cf. Ex 2:11-15).
In stark contrast, the Priesthood of Our Lord Jesus Christ is entirely new. It does not rise from shedding the blood of others, nor express itself by meticulous separation from others as detailed in the Law of Moses. No, Jesus Christ is the New Priest built upon a New Law.
The astounding contrast, the stupendous humility, of this Priesthood is seen in every aspect of the life of Christ. Even if Our Lord cleanses the temple by braiding and brandishing a whip of cords, He sheds no blood but His own. The zeal for the House of the Lord which consumes Him is not adherence to exterior cult, but to transformation of the Heart.
God desires that none should perish. Or, as in Psalm 40:6, “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have opened.” Much of the healing ministry of Jesus led to the cessation of the flow of blood from others: innumerable lepers were cleansed, the woman with the flow of blood found healing by a single touch, the man and the child who were hurting themselves in stone or fire were made sane. If life is in the blood He desired that life be in them, be in all.
The same zeal is found more humble and intimate in the washing of the feet, in the institution of the Holy Eucharist. The New Priest moves down into ever more humble positions and expressions. It is Our Lord, Jesus Christ, who offers His own blood, His own body as sacrifice as Teacher and Lord, freeing those bound to idolatry to live for the Lord God in freedom of Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength.
Jesus dies outside the Gates and as the New Prophet says, “Who is on the Lord’s side? Come to me.” My Heart has been pierced by Phineas lance, I have opened the ear of Malchus removed by the sword of Peter, my own newly consecrated Priest, that your desires would be inflamed, that you may enter in through my side, into my Heart. Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened, mount the wood of the Cross with me and you will find Rest. You will find the Promised land of milk and honey, of sweet bread and choice wine of the New and Everlasting Covenant in my Blood.