PRIEST – 1) (presbyter) One who has been properly (canonically) ordained to administer the Holy Sacraments and to preach the Word of God. A candidate for priesthood must meet the requirements of education and moral character.
2) (an appellation or Title of Jesus) “For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” Heb 7:17
3) One who stands before God and offers to Him in thanksgiving that which He has given to us: life. Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, humanity turned away from the worship of God and became self-centered. In the book of Romans, St. Paul identifies the key mark of sin: unthankfulness (1:21). Man refuses to say thank you to God, to love Him back. But reconciled believers are “an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9-10), the people of God. Having been restored to priesthood, believers return to worship.