The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to petition the Spirit to instruct us in the joy of the message of Jesus for all people.
The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews proclaims a 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).
* [7:27] Such daily sacrifice is nowhere mentioned in the Mosaic law; only on the Day of Atonement is it prescribed that the high priest must offer sacrifice…for his own sins and then for those of the people (Lv 16:11–19). Once for all: this translates the Greek words ephapax/hapax that occur eleven times in Hebrews. (Hebrews, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)
* [8:1–6] The Christian community has in Jesus the kind of high priest described in Heb 7:26–28. In virtue of his ascension Jesus has taken his place at God’s right hand in accordance with Ps 110:1 (Heb 8:1), where he presides over the heavenly sanctuary established by God himself (Heb 8:2). Like every high priest, he has his offering to make (Heb 8:3; cf. Heb 9:12, 14), but it differs from that of the levitical priesthood in which he had no share (Heb 8:4) and which was in any case but a shadowy reflection of the true offering in the heavenly sanctuary (Heb 8:5). But Jesus’ ministry in the heavenly sanctuary is that of mediator of a superior covenant that accomplishes what it signifies (Heb 8:6).
* [8:2] The sanctuary: the Greek term could also mean “holy things” but bears the meaning “sanctuary” elsewhere in Hebrews (Heb 9:8, 12, 24, 25; 10:19; 13:11). The true tabernacle: the heavenly tabernacle that the Lord…set up is contrasted with the earthly tabernacle that Moses set up in the desert. True means “real” in contradistinction to a mere “copy and shadow” (Heb 8:5); compare the Johannine usage (e.g., Jn 1:9; 6:32; 15:1). The idea that the earthly sanctuary is a reflection of a heavenly model may be based upon Ex 25:9, but probably also derives from the Platonic concept of a real world of which our observable world is merely a shadow. (Hebrews, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 40 is a Thanksgiving for Deliverance and a Prayer for Help.
* [Psalm 40] A thanksgiving (Ps 40:2–13) has been combined with a lament (Ps 40:14–17) that appears also in Ps 70. The psalmist describes the rescue in spatial terms—being raised up from the swampy underworld to firm earth where one can praise God (Ps 40:2–4). All who trust God will experience like protection (Ps 40:5–6)! The Psalm stipulates the precise mode of thanksgiving: not animal sacrifice but open and enthusiastic proclamation of the salvation just experienced (Ps 40:7–11). A prayer for protection concludes (Ps 40:12–17). (Psalms, PSALM 40 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Mark describes a Multitude at the Lakeside and the Mercy of Jesus.
* [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).
* [3:11–12] See note on Mk 1:24–25. (Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
Joan Blandin Howard comments that Ignatius invites us to use our imaginations and senses when we pray. It is a prayer of building a reciprocal relationship with Jesus. Jesus has experienced all that we have – dancing & laughing all the while conscious of the other guests, the hosts and as all loving sons attentive to his mother.
This begs the question – why do I follow Jesus? Possibly, for all the above reasons – for what Jesus can do for me. I like to think that I follow Jesus for my transformation. Who I become in relationship with Jesus. I love the “we” coming to life. Together we fed the hungry, visit the sick and elderly, welcome the stranger, the refugee. It is not always happy times, beach meals, dancing and singing – but always rich, meaningful and brings the deep abiding Joy that is Jesus. Jesus knows, mostly I do not, how transforming is our presence to the other. Relationship is the measure of transformation, of deep abiding Joy.
Happiness is fleeting, Joy of Jesus is abiding. (Howard, 2025)
Don Schwager quotes “Faith works by love,” by 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) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 3:7-12 is not to dismiss the crowds Jesus saw that day as hopelessly selfish. They were only doing what they were used to doing. Remember, too, that this passage occurs very early in Jesus’ ministry, when people were only starting to understand who he was. Jesus understood that, and he was very patient and very generous in working with them.
And that’s the way he is with us. He wants to transform us into disciples committed to loving God and caring for one another more than ourselves. And he knows that will only happen as we decide every day to follow in his footsteps. After all, being a disciple is so much more rewarding than being a superfan!
“Jesus, help me to follow you with my whole heart.” (Meditation on Mark 3:7-12, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that Hebrews presents the events and themes in the Hebrew Testament as a prefiguring of Jesus' teaching. Mark describes the people from Judea and pagan territories who follow Jesus. Friar Jude notes that “Son of God” in Mark’s Gospel is used rarely and refers to the “only begotten Son of God” as recognized by the spiritual creatures.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces theologian Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes who describes the pressure placed on Black women to be strong, available to others, and without needs of their own. She refers to this cultural expectation as an archetype of “StrongBlackWoman”. Walker-Barnes imagines sharing her “addiction” to overextension and strength in a recovery group.
If this were a twelve-step meeting for StrongBlackWomen, I would begin by saying, “Hi, my name is Chanequa and I’m a StrongBlackWoman. I have been in recovery for over a decade now. But at most, I’ve probably only accrued a few weeks of being clean at once. I relapse constantly, maybe even daily. I don’t know if I’ll ever break free of this thing. But I’m here. And just for today, I will make at least one decision in favor of my physical, spiritual, emotional, and relational health. Just for today, I will try to let go of my need for control, to become aware of when I need help, and to ask for help when I need it. Just for today, I give myself permission to cry when I’m sad, to scream when I’m frustrated, to smile and laugh when I’m happy, and to dance like I’ve got wings when the Spirit moves me. Just for today, I will reject the mandate to be a StrongBlackWoman. Just for today, I will simply be.” (Rohr, n.d.)
We ponder our understanding and acceptance of the “New Covenant” that proclaims the call to a ministry of love and compassion for all people.
References
Hebrews, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 23, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/7
Hebrews, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 23, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/8
Howard, J. B. (2025, January 23). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Retrieved January 23, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/012325.html
Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 23, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/3?7
Meditation on Mark 3:7-12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 23, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/01/23/1185422/
Psalms, PSALM 40 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 23, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/40?7
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Laying Down the Burden of Strength. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 23, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/laying-down-the-burden-of-strength/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 23, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jan23
No comments:
Post a Comment