Customer Reviews

Sharing Christ's Priesthood: A Bible Study for Catholics

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This Bible study came out in 2009 and was especially timely then in that Pope Benedict had declared a Year for Priests from June 2009-June 2010. In that celebration the pope focused explicitly on the ordained priesthood. Mike Aquilina, in this book, provides an important reminder that priesthood encompasses all the faithful - we all have a share in Christ's priesthood. The book is as timely now as when it first came out.

Ideal for group or individual study, the book is broken up into six sessions (based on my own experience, six is an ideal number of sessions to which group members will commit and attend). The first two sessions delve into the Old Testament roots of the priesthood. Session three shows that Jesus is the fulfillment of the old Law come "to make us a holy nation of priests - in a perfect way." The next session looks mainly at New Testament epistles to explain the priesthood of all believers. The fifth session focuses on Jesus calling the apostles and making them priests and bishops; they in turn ordained others, establishing apostolic succession to this day. Finally, the last session focuses on the ordained priesthood today - who can be ordained, why celibacy, the sacred and eternal character of the sacrament, and understanding the hierarchy of the Church.

The reading for each session is short (eight to eighteen pages) and chock full of Scripture passages, some quite extended. These quotes are often followed by three or four questions that do a nice job of not only reinforcing important aspects of the passages but encouraging critical thinking and reflection on what Scripture is trying to convey. Additionally, each chapter begins with asking the student to read a chapter or so from the Bible in order to prepare for the rest of that session's main thrust. Here again three or four questions are asked. Finally, a closing "In Practice" section to each session encourages the reader to take what he has learned out into the world in his personal conduct and all of his interactions with others.

To get the most out of each session, group members should be sure to read the entire chapter (get out your Bible for the "Before You Start..." section) and attempt to answer all of the questions. The reader will get the most out of the study (both personally and in the group setting) if he and the others have spent sufficient time reading and meditating before the group meets. For the group leader, the author gives a one page primer on leading discussions. To that, I would add that the group and the leader will get even more out of the sessions if supplementary materials are brought in by the person heading up the group. Aquilina lists several good resources in the back (I would especially recommend Scott Hahn's books since his influence is apparent in this book). Good commentaries like the Navarre Bible and the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament and Genesis would add much to any discussion. And don't forget the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Vatican II's Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, Apostolicam Actuositatem.

One criticism is that I would like to have seen more sidebars. Only three are present (the truth of Genesis, the Golden Calf, and a CCC excerpt - the only CCC reference in the book). These are helpful, but for purposes of Bible study, more of these deeper dives would have been welcome (at least one per session). I also would have liked to see a Scripture index and a glossary (the latter is particularly helpful for studies such as this).

"Sharing Christ's Priesthood: A Bible Study for Catholics" is an important and welcome addition to Catholic Bible study. Whether the concept of a common priesthood is new to you or very familiar ground, you will get much out of reading and reflecting on the significant amount of Scripture offered here. So dive in yourself or start a group and invite friends (both Catholic and non-Catholic) to get a better understanding of the Christ's priesthood, the ordained priesthood, and your priesthood.

Aquilina is a good popularizer in all his works, and continues as such with this well-researched study of priesthood in Scripture. My people have enjoyed using his books. Highly recommended.