Readings -- Is. 6:1-4, 8 or Heb. 2:10-18; Ps. 23:2-3,5, 6; Jn. 17:1-2, 9, 14-26.

Some Notes on the Feast of Jesus, the Eternal High Priest --

1. The Feast focuses on the "munus sacerdotale," the Priestly Office of Jesus, and on the ministry of priests, acting "in persona Christi," in the person of Christ. The Preface of today's Mass says that the Father through the Holy Spirit made Jesus the High Priest of the New and Eternal Covenant and that this one Priesthood should continue in the Church.

2. With a brother's kindness," Christ "also chooses men to become sharers in his sacred ministry." They are "to renew in his name the sacrifice of human redemption, ... the paschal banquet, to lead God's people in charity, to nourish them with the word, and strengthem them with the sacraments.... May they strive to be conformed to the image of Christ himself and offer you a constant witness of faith and love."

3. The feast invites the whole Church to contemplate the priesthood of Christ. It invites us and especially those called to the ministerial priesthood to be faithful to our common commitment to imitate Jesus.

Therefore, today is a special day of prayer for our priests. We pray that our priests may be more like Christ, the compassionate and trustworthy High Priest.

4. Christ, the High Priest, is our Mediator, who brings our prayers to his eternal Father. He is the ultimate and eternal High Priest, surpassing the Levitical priesthood established under the Mosaic Law. Unlike the Levitical priests, who had to continually offer sacrifices, Jesus only had to offer himself as the perfect and final sacrifice for sin, gaining eternal life for all who come to God through him (Heb. 9:11-12).

5. 1st Reading, Heb. 2:10-18 -- The Humanity and Priesthood of Jesus. The Father made his Son "perfect through suffering" (v. 10). He calls us his "brothers," whom he proclaims and praises (vv. 10-13, see Ps. 22:23). Since we have a human nature, sharing "in blood and flesh," he, likewise, took our human nature that through death, he might destroy the devil, "who has the power of death."

6. "He had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of people. Tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested" (vv. 16-18). This is the central theme of Hebrews - Jesus, the great High Priest, expiating our sins, as one who experienced our own testings.

7. Resp. Ps. 23:2-3, 5, 6 -- The Lord, Shepherd and Host. "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I lack. In green pastures he makes me lie down...; he restores my soul. He guides me along right paths" (vv. 1-3). "You set a table before me in front of my enemies.... My cup overflows. Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life. I will dwell in the house of the Lord for endless days" (vv. 4-6).

8. Gospel, Jn. 17: 1-2, 9, 14-26 -- Climax of the Last Discourse of Jesus. Since the 16th century, it has been known as the "high priestly prayer" of Jesus, a prayer of petition.

9. "Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you" ( v. 1). You "gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to all you gave him" (vv. 1-2). "I pray for them, because they are yours" (v.9). I gave them your word. The world hated them, because they do not belong to this world (vv. 14, 17). "Keep them from the evil one" (v. 15). Just as you sent me, I sent them to the world. I consecrate myself for them, so that they may also be consecrated in truth" (vv. 19, 17).

10. "I pray also for all those who will believe in me ... so that they may also be one in us, that the world may believe that you sent me" (v. 21). I have given them my glory. I pray that, as one, they may be brought to perfection and that the world may know that you loved them even as you loved me" (vv. 22-23). They are your gift to me. I wish that they may also be with me and see my glory" (v. 24). "I made your name known to them and I will make it known that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them" (vv. 25-26).

11. Prayer -- O God, for the glory of your majesty and the salvation of the human race, you made your Only Begotten Son the Eternal High Priest. Grant that, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, those whom he has chosen as ministers and stewards of his mysteries may be found faithful in carrying out the ministry they have received. This we pray, through Christ, the Eternal High Priest and our Savior. Amen.

Prayers for our priests, best wishes, God bless!