Here is our Old Testament reading, from Exodus: ‘And when they set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mountain.  And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ (Exodus 19:2-6a)

On the subject of the kingdom of priests, St Ambrose of Milan commented: ‘How indeed but in his body did Christ expiate the sins of the people? In what did he suffer, save in his body – even as we said: “Christ having suffered in the flesh”? In what is he a priest, save in that which he took unto himself the vocation of a priestly nation? (St Ambrose, ‘On the Christian Faith.’)

As members of the Body of Christ, we are all drawn into that kingdom of priests and the holy nation. This is a great grace and a great gift, and it brings with it great responsibilities.

Let us ask the Holy Spirit to enable this in us, and show us in what manner we may carry this out; and may God bless you this day.