Kapłaństwo ministerialne w biblijnej symbolice tradycji chrześcijańskiej

Krzysztof Bardski

Abstract

The author shows the whole panorama of Biblical symbolism, which in an overly literal interpretation of the Bible referred to in the writings of ancient and medieval Church authors to sacramental priesthood, also called ministerial. Exegetes, in making Sacred Scripture actual, oftentimes used its selected fragments from their own existential situation or in priestly ministry in the broad meaning of the word. Many Biblical symbols were discovered, which on the overly literal level were in reference to priests. They place emphasis on their service to the word and liturgy, on their life and role in the Church. Some have deep roots in the historical sense of the Biblical text. The majority of them can inspire us also today, particularly those related with Paul’s metaphor of the Church as a Body. And in this way priests are perceived as the first in the Church, feeding the faithful with the Gospel; as eyes and eyelids reading the will of God; the head, which directs the body of the Church in the example of Christ; the face that shows the world the beauty of the Church; the cheeks of the Bride, whose purity astounds the Groom; the teeth and jaw, thanks to which the nourishment of the Word of God becomes digestible; the neck, which upholds the head, meaning Christ; the mouth and tongue proclaiming the teaching of the Gospel; the heart, thanks to which the blood of Christ in the Eucharist enlivens the whole Church; the legs and feet, carrying Christ even to the ends of the earth; even the navel, according to the spiritual interpretation of Sng 7,2. To the mentioned here symbols related with the body.