The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of the necessity of prayer and reflection to guide our actions as workers in the vineyard of Christ.
The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews declares Jesus to be like his brothers and sisters in every way.
The fear of death (Heb 2:15) is a religious fear based on the false conception that death marks the end of a person’s relations with God (cf. Ps 115:17–18; Is 38:18). Jesus deliberately allied himself with the descendants of Abraham (Heb 2:16) in order to be a merciful and faithful high priest. This is the first appearance of the central theme of Hebrews, Jesus the great high priest expiating the sins of the people (Heb 2:17), as one who experienced the same tests as they (Heb 2:18). (Hebrews, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 50 praises the Acceptable Sacrifice.
* [Psalm 105] A hymn to God who promised the land of Canaan to the holy people, cf. Ps 78; 106; 136. Israel is invited to praise and seek the presence of God (Ps 105:1–6), who is faithful to the promise of land to the ancestors (Ps 105:7–11). In every phase of the national story—the ancestors in the land of Canaan (Ps 105:12–15), Joseph in Egypt (Ps 105:16–22), Israel in Egypt (Ps 105:23–38), Israel in the desert on the way to Canaan (Ps 105:39–45)—God remained faithful, reiterating the promise of the land to successive servants. (Psalms, PSALM 105 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Mark proclaims the Cure of Simon’s Mother-in-Law and Other Healings.
* [1:21–45] The account of a single day’s ministry of Jesus on a sabbath in and outside the synagogue of Capernaum (Mk 1:21–31) combines teaching and miracles of exorcism and healing. Mention is not made of the content of the teaching but of the effect of astonishment and alarm on the people. Jesus’ teaching with authority, making an absolute claim on the hearer, was in the best tradition of the ancient prophets, not of the scribes. The narrative continues with events that evening (Mk 1:32–34; see notes on Mt 8:14–17) and the next day (Mk 1:35–39). The cleansing in Mk 1:40–45 stands as an isolated story. (Mark, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
Elvin Cardoso, S.J. reminds us that we cannot pour from an empty cup.
Jesus shows us that ministry is not about doing everything, everywhere, for everyone. It is about knowing when to give, but also when to step back and receive. Only in receiving from God can we continue to give effectively, and only by being replenished in His presence can we truly serve others with a heart full of love and compassion. May we learn from Jesus the sacred rhythm of giving and receiving, allowing our ministry to be rooted in both action and prayer. (Cardoso, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The habit of prayer,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).
"Jesus prayed and did not pray in vain, since he received what he asked for in prayer when he might have done so without prayer. If so, who among us would neglect to pray? Mark says that 'in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed' (Mark 1:35). And Luke says, 'He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray,"' (Luke 11:1) and elsewhere, 'And all night he continued in prayer to God' (Luke 6:12). And John records his prayer, saying, 'When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you"' (John 17:1). The same Evangelist writes that the Lord said that he knew 'you hear me always' (John 11:42). All this shows that the one who prays always is always heard." (excerpt from ON PRAYER 13.1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Hebrews 2:14-18 comments that the Letter to the Hebrews tells us that Jesus has fulfilled the role of the high priest completely because he offered God a perfect spotless sacrifice. He chose to “become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest” (Hebrews 2:17).
As you contemplate Jesus, your merciful and faithful high priest, let today’s reading lift your heart. Jesus shares all your joys and sorrows. He stands before God the Father on your behalf eternally. Even now, at this moment, he is praying for you!
“Lord Jesus, thank you for your mercy and faithfulness!” (Meditation on Hebrews 2:14-18, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage from Hebrews emphasizes the share of Christ in our flesh and blood. The offering of Jesus, the High Priest, is One who can identify with our weakness. Friar Jude reminds us that the healing and preaching of Jesus is not restricted in time and place but is universal.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces religion scholar Kerry Walters who writes of the transformative life of Archbishop Óscar Romero. In a homily given in 1978, Archbishop Romero urged communities and individuals to recognize how their actions had the power to convert and transform the world.
A Christian community is evangelized in order to evangelize. A light is turned on in order to give light. “People do not light a candle and put it under a basket,” said Christ. “They light it and put it up high so that it gives light” (Matthew 5:15). That is true community. A community is a group of women and men who have found the truth in Christ and in his Gospel and join together to follow the way of truth more resolutely. It is not just a matter of individual conversion but of community conversion. A community is a family that believes; it is a group where each member accepts God and feels strengthened by the others. In their moments of weakness, they help one another and love one another; they shed the light of their faith as an example for others. When that happens, the preachers no longer need to preach because there are Christians whose very lives have become a form of preaching.
I said once before and I repeat today, sisters and brothers, that if some sad day they silence our radio and stop us from writing in our newspaper, then all of you who believe must become microphones, radio stations, and loudspeakers—not by talking but by living the faith. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate the pattern of prayer and action lived by Jesus and implore the Spirit to guide us in the footsteps of Christ.
References
Cardoso, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/011525.html
Hebrews, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/2?14
Mark, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/1?29
Meditation on Hebrews 2:14-18. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/01/15/1180556/
Psalms, PSALM 105 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/105?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Óscar Romero: Preacher of Love and Justice. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/oscar-romero-preacher-of-love-and-justice/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Healed Many Who Were Sick. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jan15
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