Something significant lies behind the office of priest. It is something that is rooted in a love of one God, good. Christian Science uncovers what is truly meaningful about priesthood and helps us appreciate its purpose.
Although priests in various religions are generally thought of as positioned in a formal order of clergy—part of an established hierarchy—far more is implied by many inspired biblical references to the concept of priesthood. Even in earliest Bible days, the role of the priest was recognized as legitimately fulfilled by private individuals. And every individual can fulfill this role today by gaining a clear understanding of its true purpose. Spirituality rather than position entitles all to practice the activity underlying the inspired priesthood of the Bible.
In early times a major function of the priest's office was to learn God's will by Urim and Thummim. The Bible never gives a physical description of these sacred objects, which are generally thought to have been placed in a pocket on the breast of the high priest—"in the breastplate of judgment." Ex. 28:30 But a significant meaning was seen in their names by the late Jewish scholars to whom we owe our Old Testament text: Urim and Thummim, "lights" and "perfections." The concept of light and the concept of perfection are powerful spiritual concepts. They are at the heart of an activity blessed by Love.
