The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the experience we have in knowing the Presence of God in the joys and sacrifices of life.
The Spirit in Life
The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews describes Jesus as Mediator of a better Covenant.
* [7:26–28] Jesus is precisely the high priest whom the human race requires, holy and sinless, installed far above humanity (Heb 7:26); one having no need to offer sacrifice daily for sins but making a single offering of himself (Heb 7:27) once for all. The law could only appoint high priests with human limitations, but the fulfillment of God’s oath regarding the priesthood of Melchizedek (Ps 110:4) makes the Son of God the perfect priest forever (Heb 7:28).1
Psalm 40 is a Thanksgiving for deliverance and a prayer for help.
* [40:7–9] Obedience is better than sacrifice (cf. 1 Sm 15:22; Is 1:10–20; Hos 6:6; Am 5:22–25; Mi 6:6–8; Acts 7:42–43 [quoting Am 5:25–26]). Heb 10:5–9 quotes the somewhat different Greek version and interprets it as Christ’s self-oblation.2
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus attracts a multitude at the Lakeside.
* [3:7–19] This overview of the Galilean ministry manifests the power of Jesus to draw people to himself through his teaching and deeds of power. The crowds of Jews from many regions surround Jesus (Mk 3:7–12). This phenomenon prepares the way for creating a new people of Israel. The choice and mission of the Twelve is the prelude (Mk 3:13–19).3
Steve Titus thinks many of us have learned a thing or two about sacrifice this past year. We may not have had to sacrifice our lives, though millions have, but our faith, patience and trust certainly have been challenged and tested.
Today’s Gospel is full of themes and insights. It reveals Jesus’ energy and attraction. People from all corners of the region flocked to the Sea of Galilee to be touched and healed by Jesus. Perhaps Saint Agnes felt the same loving energy of Jesus that the masses did in Mark’s Gospel. Perhaps we, too, might experience Jesus’ healing and loving energy flow through us as we anticipate the new year ahead. Perhaps we might radiate healing and love for others. I am inspired by people like Jesus, Saint Agnes, health care workers, and first responders, who have died so selflessly for their convictions. My prayer is that their example inspires me to live for my convictions as bravely as they died for theirs. 4
Don Schwager quotes “Faith works by love,” by Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"The 'faith that works by love' (Galatians 5:6), is not the same faith that demons have. 'For the devils also believe and tremble' (James 2:19) but do they love? If they had not believed, they would not have said: 'You are the holy one of God' or 'You are the Son of God' (Mark 3:11-12; Luke 4:34,41). But if they had loved, they would not have said: 'What have we to do with you?' (Matthew 8:29; Mark 5:7; Luke 8:28)" (excerpt from Letter 194, To Sixtus)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Hebrews 7:25–8:6 declares that Jesus lives forever to make intercession for us. Write it down: “Jesus pleads for me.” He continually exclaims to his Father, “Forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). That is the foundation for our hope. It gives us confidence to approach him, knowing, as St. Francis de Sales wrote that “God will help us; we will do better.”
Think about just one area in your life in which you struggle. It might be a difficult relationship or doubt or fear. Now picture Jesus holding it in his hands, which are stretched out to the Father. Thank Jesus for interceding for you. Thank him for helping you overcome that area. Trust him to pour grace into that area, and then look for new ideas, directions, and opportunities that offer a possibility for change. Embrace them, ponder how best to proceed (it’s not always prudent to plunge immediately ahead), and act on them when you can. God will help you; you will do better. “Thank you, Jesus! I believe that through your intercession and help, I will do better.”6
Friar Jude Winkler discusses the symbolism in Hebrews and how the Hebrew Testament is preparing us for Jesus. Jesus heals people from all regions, Jew and Gentile. Friar Jude reminds us of two recognitions in Mark of Jesus as “Son of God.”
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares the Holy Spirit is a liberating Spirit. Even when we experience lack of freedom in our daily lives, time in prayer can be an experience of full freedom in God’s presence. He sometimes misses the exuberance of the charismatic movement of which he was a part in the 1970s and the freedom to worship God with our whole selves. Theologian James Cone (1938–2018) writes about the deep sense of freedom experienced in the communal worship of the Black church in the United States. Fr.Richard reflects on Paul’s teaching about the Spirit.
The early church surely knew the liberating effect of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps the apostle Paul’s teachings had so much impact because he restored human dignity in another time of widespread oppression, slavery, and injustice. Into the corrupt and corrupting Roman Empire, Paul shouts, “One and the same Spirit was given to us all to drink!” (1 Corinthians 12:13). He utterly levels the playing field: “You, all of you, are sons and daughters of God in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26). In Paul’s estimation, the old world was forever gone and a new world was born in which everyone is free.7
Jesus, High Priest, is experienced through the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
References
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