Have you ever heard that you are sacred, that you are something other than this world, that you are royal?
I had the gift of a priest in confession share with me that through my baptism I was made priest, prophet, and king, or queen, in my case. He went further to explain I have an intellect, a will and a conscience, something that separates me from an animal. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t living like an animal. But, in a way I was, because I had been hiding areas in my life from God; like my marriage, sexuality, finances and unfortunately, my spiritual life. I was ignoring God and had placed Him in the backseat of my life, using my gifts not for the glory of God, but for my own self-promotion, comfort and popularity in society. I was caught up with the conflicting messages of our broken world about what gives us beauty and value.
But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
The priest challenged me with an important message which is for all of us: YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, SACRED and PERFECTLY MADE IN GOD’S OWN IMAGE!! You are worth so much more than the darkness and empty promises of this world… Like c’mon. I made you smarter and stronger than this! I gave you the commandments for a reason. Quit with the silliness, let’s begin again. God loves you and He wants you in right relationship and friendship with Him!
It took humility, obedience and a childlike surrender to say I want to do better. I want to learn more about the sacraments and truths of our Catholic faith. I’m still on this royal journey with the Lord and invite you to join me, my fellow priests, prophets, kings and queens.
He’s waiting… return through the Sacrament of Confession, be fed and receive Him in the Eucharist then give all thanks and glory to God and proclaim it to all of the world!
Written by: Terrie Stangl