Final answer:
A priest is a full-time religious practitioner and intermediary between God and people, with special qualifications varying by religion. Christians live out their lives in union with Christ's priesthood primarily through engagement in the sacraments and community, recognizing all baptized believers share in the priesthood.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is a Priest?
A priest is a full-time religious leader who functions as an intermediary between God (or gods) and humans. In Christian tradition, becoming a priest typically requires formal higher education, and they have the exclusive authority to administer sacraments. Notably, priesthood in different cultures can have distinct qualifications, such as Hindu priests requiring proficiency in Sanskrit and adherence to lifestyle restrictions like a vegetarian diet.
Christian Life in Union with Christ's Priesthood
A Christian lives out his/her life in union with Christ's priesthood by engaging in the religious community, and, according to some beliefs, each baptized individual holds a spiritual priesthood by virtue of their faith. During difficult times or in the absence of ordained priests, lay Christians may perform certain religious functions suggesting that all baptized believers share in the priesthood. This concept emphasizes the universal priesthood of all believers, meaning that spiritual authority and the ability to administer spiritual rites, in some views, are not exclusive to formally consecrated clergy.
In particular, sacraments such as the Eucharist hold central importance in Christian practices, with different denominations having varying beliefs about the nature of this religious ritual. Eucharist commemorates Christ's sacrifice for humanity's sins and serves as a means of uniting Christians with Christ’s priesthood.