As I thought about the relationship mentioned in Scripture between the priesthood and the commandments of God, I became aware of a strong tie between The Priesthood of the People and how this call is lived out through the 10 Commandments.

Because our faith communities should always stress meaningful liturgy, be compelled to speak out on social justice issues, reach out to the marginalized in our society, and be a community that takes seriously the call to involve the lay people in active ministry. Yes, our pastors are great examples of servant leadership, but as members of a faith community, we are called to follow that example by becoming servant leaders ourselves.

The Old Testament priests (Levites) died, and their priesthood continued in their family; only those from the tribe of Levi could become a priest. But, Jesus holds the priesthood permanently because Jesus continues forever. He continues forever because he is in each of us. The ordained priesthood is a special gift to the church, but the priesthood of Jesus is in all of us. We are, a priestly people; we are called to live out the Old Testament commandments in light of the fact that Jesus, the great high priest, showed us how to live them.  Jesus taught us that the spirit of the law is more important than the letter of the law. He showed us how to LIVE the commandments and calls us to live out our priesthood by living the sprit of the law. He called his disciples to live in the spirit of the law just as he calls all of us today. 

How are we called to be a priestly people?

In the documents of Vatican II, one the greatest examples of the call of the laity is outlined for us in Lumen Gentium.  

“Pastors know that they were not meant by Christ to shoulder alone the entire saving mission of the Church.”

The laity “are in their own way made sharers in the priestly, prophetic and kingly functions of Christ.” 

“Christ gives them a share in his priestly function of offering spiritual worship for the glory of God and the salvation of” humanity. 

The document goes on to say that we are called to be “powerful heralds” of our faith. “The faithful must learn the deepest meaning and the value of all creation and how to relate it to the praise of God.”

In Deuteronomy, we are told to keep all the statutes and commandments. Not only did Moses deliver to the people the 10 commandments from God, but they actually had 613 commandments, or rules to follow.

Jesus tells us in the Gospels—the greatest of the commandments are to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus showed us how to love God and neighbor; he showed us that everyone is our neighbor. 

So, how do we live out our priestly call through these commandments? What do the 10 commandments mean for us today? They are more than a bunch of “Thou shat nots.” Jesus calls us to be proactive, to live out the spirit of the law by understanding the commandments provide not just with a list of things NOT to do but with a clear example of how we need to live our lives, what we are called TO DO.

I would like to offer a new look at the commandments, a contemporary view of the commandments, and yet one that may be older than Christianity, and one that I think is a perfect example of Jesus’ approach to the law—Native American 10 Commandments. The first two of these commandments are similar to the two great commandments Jesus gives us to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. Following the first of these two commandments automatically assures that we will follow the rest.

While I could probably write an entire blog on any one of these, let me just share with you what each one means to me and invite you to ponder what these commandments mean in your own priestly life. 

1. Treat the Earth and all that dwells thereon with respect.

Appreciate nature; respect the created world, plants, animals, and all those in it. Recycling, preserving water and electricity. Knowing what the other loves and providing small means of grace.

2. Remain close to the Great Spirit

How do we remain close to God?  For me it is often through nature, if you ever doubt God’s existence, take a trip to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, where you can see the Patriarch, believed to be the largest of the bristlecone pines. You can also remain close to God through prayer, scripture, through liturgy, through our families and friends, and through the stranger in our midst.

3. Consider the impact on the next six generations when making decisions.

Six generations sounds like a long time, but I realize that I am now the matriarch of five generations and I live another twenty years, I could easily see six generations. But for most people, six generations means probably something that they will not see in their lifetimes, so this commandment tells us to consider future generations—how we preserve our planet, what kind of values are we passing on to future generations

4. Work together to benefit all humanity

Work together—with our brothers and sisters of other faiths, other cultures.

5. Freely give help and kindness wherever needed.

Freely give, not begrudgingly

6. Do what you believe to be right.

What you KNOW to be right, informed judgment

7. Look after the well-being of your mind and body.

Study and grow, take care of your body. Rest, eat right, and watch what you put into your body and on it. More people are addicted to prescription drugs than to illegal drugs.

8. Contribute a share of your efforts to the greater good.

We don’t have to sell all you have, as Jesus told the wealthy young man, but do we give from our excess, or do we give meaningfully of our time and talent as well as out treasure?

9. Be always truthful and honest.

Do we lie to the IRS, on job applications, to our employers, to our kids? 

10. Take full responsibility for our actions.

Do we ever think, “Everyone else does it, so it must be okay, it wasn’t my fault, and those rules are for other people.”

If we can live out these commandments according to the example Jesus showed us and in the spirit of the Native American spirituality, we will live out our call to the priesthood on a daily basis. 

As you ponder how you will accept the priesthood of the people and live out this priesthood in your daily life, I leave you with a thought from the great theologian, Saint Augustine:

“What I am for you terrifies me, what I am with you consoles me.”

Learn more about our relationship with all humanity in my new book, Francis of Assisi, Universal Saint: Franciscan Spirituality in Various Faith Perspectives.