PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS

I have written before about Jesus selection of his disciples, and how they Christianized the Roman empire in 300 years. Then politics got involved and a hierarchy of people changed the leadership of the church from one that was empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit to one that was guided and directed by men, and whose leaders were selected by men and not by God.  As I have watched the extravaganza that surrounds the selection of the new Pope I was reminded of many of Jesus sayings. There was on picture of the cardinals preparing for their daily conclave, in which they were dressed in their red robes, and were putting on their mitres. I immediately thought of Jesus description of the dress of the pharisees who had fancy robes with all kinds of tassels on them. He also commented on their long loud prayers. He said that they have already received their reward, and that reward was the admiration of other men.

As the Cardinals assemble each day they go about selecting their future leader by voting. Is the kingdom of God a democracy or is it a theocracy? God chooses who he will use to lead his kingdom. When he chose a successor to Saul he looked at all of Jesse's sons and finally chose David because his heart was right. They are choosing the new Pope because he reputedly has to clean up the mess that plagues the Catholic church. The problem of pedophilia throughout the church, the shortage of priests, the declining membership, the finances of the church, are all seen as secular problems, with a secular solution. 

God does  not choose people because of what they are, but for they can become. Just look at Saul of Tarsus who was doing all he could to destroy the church. God took the zeal he had for destroying the church, and used that zeal to build the church. He took the ordinary men who were to become the apostles, and made them extraordinary theologians and preachers. It was interesting that he did not have to give them a sales talk, nor did have have an election, he just said follow me. If their heart was right, and could give up everything to follow him, they went. He then educated them and showed them how to win souls, and finally empowered them to take the Good News to the world, but those who were not willing to give up everything faded into oblivion. 

The papal elections brought to mind my experiences teaching in a seminary. We are still educating men and women as Pharisees. to guide the church. They no longer see their parishioners as equals, but they set themselves apart by wearing robes clerical collars, and having themselves called reverend, pastor or priest. They seek higher degrees such as MDivs, DMins, and PhDs. I do not know of any minister who wins more souls to Christ because of his higher degrees. If any of the priesthood of believers is called to win souls then he does so in spite of his degree or lack of a degree. 

We have it all wrong! Jesus did not intend for us to live in the church like we live in the world. The only place where we are equal is before God. We are all accepted by him, but if we are authentic Christians we have different gifts and talents. We are to  use them for  him, but we are all to proclaim the Gospel, heal the sick and cast out demons.