Kingly People – Priestly People

 “Queen for a Day” was the name of a popular television game show that thrived in the late 1950’s and during the 1960’s. A woman would write to the producers of the program detailing why she should be chosen “queen for a day.” During the program the host, Jack Bailey, interviewed the four contestants chosen by the producers and the audience would vote for the person whom in their opinion was the most deserving. The winner was crowned “queen for a day”, draped with a crimson cape, granted her original request, showered with all sorts of gifts and appliances, driven around in a limonene, and treated to dinner at some luxurious restaurant. For most people living in this country, that is how monarchy is perceived. The king and/or queen is treated to the best places, wears the best clothes, and lives a lavish life style with little or no concern for cost.
 A true king or queen is a monarch who takes to heart the personal responsibility he or she has for the people of the kingdom with the welfare of the kingdom as a guide and goal. This is kingship in the biblical sense and the type of king that Jesus Christ is for you and me. Christ is the King who embraces us, blesses us, provides for our spiritual wellbeing, and leads us to a deeper life of grace. Our King did this through his life of servanthood and ultimately the gift of his life for our salvation.
In baptism we are reborn into a kingly state because we become spiritually incarnated into Christ the King. In addition, just as Christ was the High Priest who once and for all times made the perfect sacrifice for sin, so we, in baptism also share in his priesthood and serve others his name. It is for this reason that the author of 1st Peter would write, “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” [i] 
If we are indeed a kingly people because of our relationship with Jesus Christ, then we too are called to strive to live in concern for others with their spiritual wellbeing as our guide and goal. As kingly people we cannot allow ourselves to live in isolation from other people for they are our personal responsibility.
As priestly people we are called to proclaim the Good News so that other people can share with us in the salvific grace of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9[i]                                                          
                                                    ~ Fr. Al Jewson ​