The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to meditate on the power of the Word of God to provide direction and healing on our journey in life.
Healing action
The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews describes the power of the Word acting with Jesus the Great High Priest.
* [4:14–16] These verses, which return to the theme first sounded in Heb 2:16–3:1, serve as an introduction to the section that follows. The author here alone calls Jesus a great high priest (Heb 4:14), a designation used by Philo for the Logos; perhaps he does so in order to emphasize Jesus’ superiority over the Jewish high priest. He has been tested in every way, yet without sin (Heb 4:15); this indicates an acquaintance with the tradition of Jesus’ temptations, not only at the beginning (as in Mk 1:13) but throughout his public life (cf. Lk 22:28). Although the reign of the exalted Jesus is a theme that occurs elsewhere in Hebrews, and Jesus’ throne is mentioned in Heb 1:8, the throne of grace (Heb 4:16) refers to the throne of God. The similarity of Heb 4:16 to Heb 10:19–22 indicates that the author is thinking of our confident access to God, made possible by the priestly work of Jesus.1
Psalm 19 praises God’s Glory in Creation and the Law.
* [Psalm 19] The heavenly elements of the world, now beautifully arranged, bespeak the power and wisdom of their creator (Ps 19:2–7). The creator’s wisdom is available to human beings in the law (Ps 19:8–11), toward which the psalmist prays to be open (Ps 19:12–14). The themes of light and speech unify the poem.2
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus calls the tax collector, Levi.
* [2:17] Do not need a physician: this maxim of Jesus with its implied irony was uttered to silence his adversaries who objected that he ate with tax collectors and sinners (Mk 2:16). Because the scribes and Pharisees were self-righteous, they were not capable of responding to Jesus’ call to repentance and faith in the gospel.3
Kyle Lierk shares some experiences when a message is received loud and clear.
In Hebrews a powerful scalpel-like image is given to God’s word to emphasize just how much it can cut through our lives if we allow it. If we read and understand it well it becomes a great revealer. Perhaps that is why Levi was so quick to respond to Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel, “Follow me.” Imagine! Two words spoken by this unknown teacher passing by were enough to move this man to react so positively and instantaneously. If only I could be as responsive to God’s word in my life. My prayer today is that I clean out my ears, open up my eyes, clear out my heart and remain on the lookout for this living, breathing word of God that is spirit and life.4
Don Schwager quotes “No physician can avoid the arena of sickness,” by Gregory of Nazianzus (330 - 390 AD).
"When Jesus is attacked for mixing with sinners, and taking as his disciple a despised tax collector, one might ask: What could he possibly gain by doing so? (Luke 15:2) Only the salvation of sinners. To blame Jesus for mingling with sinners would be like blaming a physician for stooping down over suffering and putting up with vile smells in order to heal the sick." (excerpt from ORATION 45, ON HOLY EASTER 26)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Hebrews 4:12-16 asks who is this Person that we must answer to? The second half of the reading tells us: it’s Jesus, our high priest who really does “sympathize with our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15). It’s Jesus, who has been tested just as we have and understands how strong temptation can be. It’s Jesus, who opened the doors of heaven and has given us confidence to “approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help” (4:16). This is the One we must answer to: a Savior who sees our failings and patiently offers us mercy and grace.
This swordlike quality of God’s word is actually a gift for us. It’s one way that God can both show us our need for him and help us open ourselves to his power to save and to heal. For example, a verse from Scripture might prick your conscience as you read it and convict you of a pattern of sinful thoughts or actions. A podcast might help you realize that an objection you have to one of the teachings of the Church is closing you off to grace. A stray remark by a loved one might make you reconsider a long-held opinion. These are all ways God’s word might shed light into areas where you fall short. But they are also ways that God can show you how deeply he can change and transform your life. So every time you feel the tip of the blade, remember that Jesus has come to heal, not to wound. “Lord, I trust your compassion and mercy.”6
Friar Jude Winkler shares ideas from the Letter to the Hebrews about the true presence in the Word of God and Jesus experience of human temptation. Jesus reaches out to sinners who need to be healed with acceptance and love. Friar Jude reminds us of the dangers of being self satisfied in our spiritual life.
Brian McLaren provides steps we can take toward living a New Story. If we disbelieve the dominant framing story and instead believe Jesus’ good news of the kingdom of God, we will suddenly find ourselves making new personal decisions—not because we have to, as a duty, but because we want to, because we are now liberated from the cramped possibilities of the old framing story. . . . “Saved by our faith,” we will pray differently. Prayer will cease to be a technique for enlisting God to help us “make it” in the dominant system; it will instead become a way of bathing our inner world in the transforming presence of God, a way we seek to be shaped by the new framing story, the new reality, the good news, so that we can be catalysts bringing transformation to the dominant system.
If we disbelieve the old framing story and believe the good news, we will also work differently. When we realize that the most powerful world-changing work we can do is simply to believe, as Jesus told his original disciples (John 6:29), we experience liberation from panicked, frantic, desperate, incoherent, and often fruitless or counterproductive action. We rediscover Sabbath and rest and even play, and we come to our work with a new sense of energy and purpose. We will no longer be “just” anything—just a homemaker, just a laborer, just an accountant, just a kindergarten teacher. No, whatever our work, we will do it as agents of the kingdom of God, builders of a new world.7
The Word that pierces our being reveals our need for acceptance and love and directs our choices to live as priest and healer to those we encounter.
References
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