1st Week in Ordinary Time
In these last days, he spoke to us through a son. (Hebrews 1:2)
There is so much we don’t know about the Letter to the Hebrews. Most scholars today agree it wasn’t written by St. Paul, as was previously thought, but they don’t know who did write it. We aren’t sure when it was written, but we think it was around ad 90. It may be a letter or it may be a sermon. It might have been written to Jewish Christians—but maybe not.
But for all that we don’t know, there is one thing that brooks no argument: its message. Even a light reading of Hebrews reveals a powerful word of encouragement.
The language of Hebrews is fresh and novel, echoing in every verse the promise of a new covenant in Christ. God has spoken to the world through his Son, and in doing so he has turned the traditional understanding of Judaism on its head. Hebrews stresses, however, that this is not a different direction but a surprising fulfillment of God’s plan for his people.
Hebrews makes clear the divine parallels that exist between the covenant with Moses and the new covenant with Christ. Jesus himself has assumed the role of high priest, mediating between us and God. With one single sacrifice he refines the countless thousands made by human priests up to this point. He has “made perfect forever those who are being consecrated” (Hebrews 10:14). The author enumerates the great milestones and heroes of Scripture—Adam, Abraham, David and Samuel—and tells how they, though their faith was strong, did not yet receive what had been promised. But now is the time for the fulfillment of that assurance!
As we journey toward the climax of God’s grand plan, Hebrews tells us to take heart. A new kind of grace is available, allowing us to enter into God’s kingdom, which is his “rest” (Hebrews 4:11).
Of course, this doesn’t mean that every passing dream of ours will come true. It means that the deepest longing of our hearts—a hole that can be filled only by a relationship with God—is satisfied in him, at last.
“Thank you, Lord, for the new covenant in your blood. I praise you for setting me free from sin and death and raising me up as your heir.”
Psalm 97:1-2, 6-9
Mark 1:14-20
Daily Marriage Tip for January 12, 2015:
(Reader’s Tip) Praying together as a couple and a family has carried us through some tough years. We always try to attend Mass together.