West Derwentside Catholic Partnership

Here is a reminder of what it means to be a follower of Christ, because Peter was not talking to bishops and cardinals when he chose these words, he was talking to the believers, ordinary folk like you and me. He is reminding us that whatever else is going on in the world or in our lives we are first and foremost God’s chosen people, set apart for a special task. Our royalty comes from being created in God’s image and likeness and baptised in His Spirit We have God’s DNA and are brothers and sisters in Christ the King.
Peter goes on to remind us that we are also priests through our baptism. This means that building the church is not all down to the man at the front in the vestments, we too have a crucial role. A priest is called to act as a go-between to bring people to God and so are we called to become ‘bridge-builders’ and reconcilers. A priest is called to serve and worship God by offering sacrifice and so we too are called to present ourselves as living sacrifices, to do good and to share for the sake of the world. The ordained minister is at the service of the common priesthood of the people but he cannot build a spiritual house without the living stones we must provide.