ZNACZENIE OFIARY W ŻYCIU KAPŁANA WEDŁUG NAUCZANIA BENEDYKTA XVI
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SACRIFICE IN A PRIEST’S LIFE ACCORDING TO THE TEACHING OF BENEDICT XVI

Summary/Abstract: This article presents the sacrificial nature of a priest’s life by elucidating theconcept of sacrifice through the offerings of the Old Testament. The division ofimperfect offerings by Old Testament priests is portrayed as a foreshadowing ofChrist’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross, as well as the offerings of the New Testa-ment and the connection of every priest to Jesus’s sacrifice. The sacrificial char-acter of a priest’s life is underscored. Firstly, the concept of sacrifice is defined,followed by an exploration of the Old Testament offerings, which provides animage of the Old Testament priesthood and sacrificial worship. The conclusionsdraw attention to the priest’s role as a servant of God, ready for sacrifices, anunblemished individual adhering to divine law. The archetype of sacrifice in theOld Testament, according to Benedict XVI, is Abraham’s offering, a precursorto Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. The New Testament sacrifice offered by Jesuson Golgotha remains relevant today, enacted in every Mass as an unbloodyoffering. Every priest is incorporated into this sacrifice by celebrating it dur-ing the Eucharist. The entirety of a priest’s life bears a sacrificial nature. Priestsoffer the unbloody sacrifice on their own behalf and on behalf of all believers.They do so by the authority and command of Christ, who selects priests andempowers them through ordination to perform the unbloody sacrifice.

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