Replies

From: Hebrews 13: 15-17, 20-21

Religious Duties—Obeying Lawful Pastors; Religious Worship
(Continuation)

[15] Through him (Jesus) then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to
God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. [16] Do not neglect to
do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

[17] Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your
souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not
sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Epilogue

[20] Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, [21] equip
you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is
pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever.
Amen.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

15-16. The text presupposes the Old Testament distinction between the “sin of-
fering” and other offerings. The sin offering was made publicly on the great Day
of Atonement. The other offerings, particularly those not involving the shedding
of blood—first fruits, fruit and loaves, which the faithful present to God in thanks-
giving and praise—were called “peace offerings”, among which the most promi-
nent was the “sacrifice of thanksgiving” (cf. Lev 7:12; Ps 50:14; 116:17).

In the New Testament the faithful, exercising their spiritual priesthood (cf. Rom
12:1; Heb 12;28), offer sacrifices acceptable to God—prayer (made by lips which
confess God), good works, alms, etc.

Already, through the prophets, God had made it plain that he abhorred sacri-
fices which were merely external (cf. 1 Sam 15:22, Is 1:11-17; Jer 6:20; Amos
5:21-22): what he wanted was a pure and humble heart (cf. Is 58:6-8). Jesus
said the same (cf. Mt 5:23-24; Mk 11:25; Lk 18:9-14). So, too, in the New Co-
venant, Christ wants all followers to exercise that priesthood which consists in
doing good and offering to God all the little sacrifices each day involves: “Since
he wishes to continue his witness and his serving through the laity also, the su-
preme and eternal priest, Christ Jesus, vivifies them with his spirit and cease-
lessly impels them to accomplish every good and perfect work” (Vatican II,
“Lumen Gentium”, 34).

17-19. Emphasis is put here on the duty all Christians have to pray especially
for those who are placed in authority over them.

“We owe two things to those who govern us in the spiritual sphere. First, obe-
dience, to do what they tell us; and then reverence, to honor them like parents
and accept the discipline they propose” (Chrysostom, “Hom. on Heb.”, 13, 3).

“You are under an obligation to pray and sacrifice yourself for the person and in-
tentions of whoever is ‘in charge’ of your apostolic undertaking. If you are care-
less in fulfilling this duty, you make me think that you lack enthusiasm for your
way” (St J. Escriva, “The Way”, 953).

20-21. The epistle ends in the same kind of way as the Pauline epistles do—with
a doxology and some words of farewell. In these verses, “the God of peace” is
invoked; he is the only one who can give true peace, decreeing that men should
be reconciled to him through the action of Christ; and Jesus is described as
“the great shepherd”; once more there is this paralleling the Exodus/Old Cove-
nant with entry into heaven. Just as Moses brought the people of Israel into the
promised land the way a shepherd leads his sheep (cf. Is 63:11), so Jesus
Christ, the shepherd par excellence (cf. Jn 10:10-16; 1 Pet 2:25; 5:4), has led
his sheep into the glory of heaven.

Verse 21 links Christian teaching on grace with man’s response to that grace.
Commenting on this passage St Thomas Aquinas explains that the words “equip
you with everything good that you may do his will” is the same as saying “may
God make you desire everything good”, because it is God’s will that we act of
our own free will. If we did not act freely, our will would not be good; if we go
God’s will we will always be doing what is good for us (cf. “Commentary on Heb.,
ad loc.”). God has disposed man’s will to choose to do what is right. It is up to
man to respond to God’s design. In this sense, God “equips us with everything
good that you may do his will”.

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.