Monday of Ordinary Time, Jan. 22, 2007 (third week)

Scripture: Hebrews 9:15.24-28 Psalm 98:1-6. Mark 3:22-30

One of the earliest teachings I learned as a boy was that Jesus'
sacrificial death on the Cross is represented in the Mass and it
necessarily must be associated with Holy Thursday when Jesus celebrated a
type of Passover Meal with his disciples; thus, the Mass is both a
sacrifice and a messianic banquet. Jesus' priesthood is considered central
to these happenings in historical time. I was further instructed that the
Eucharist is a sacrament of the reenactment of this event and that it is
one and the same as what Jesus did then, now, and for the future. I think
this is what the Epistle to Hebrews is telling me today when I read it
(Hebrews 9:15.24-28). The words at the end of today's passage say it very
clearly, "Christ was offered up once to take away the sins of the many...he
will appear a second time to bring salvation to those who eagerly await
him." I also found the Psalm confirming my learning and belief about what
happens in the Mass or the celebration of the Eucharist. I applied this
verse to what the Eucharist effects in me: " The Lord has made known his
salvation in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has
remembered his kindness and faithfulness toward Israel." Jesus as we
learned from the very first lines of this unique essay is "the reflection
of God's glory (kabod Adonai) and the exact imprint of God's very being,
and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made
purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on
high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited
as more excellent than theirs. (Hebrews 1:3-4). We can see why Jesus then
says that anything said against the Holy Spirit dwelling within Him and
moving him to such priestly love and sacrifice would be judging themselves.
I believe Hebrews and Mark are telling us about what we believe about the
nature of Jesus. We must never as Christians say he has an evil spirit
within him because once we believe through our faith what is being revealed
about him is the truth that not only was he conceived by the Holy Spirit in
the Virgin Mary without any physical intercourse but that He and the Spirit
are one with God the Creator as Redeemer (Jesus) and Sanctifier (the Holy
Spirit). Amen.