GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 19TH JANUARY 2017
THURSDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: Hebrews 7:25 – 8:6
PSALM: Psalm 40:7-10, 17
GOSPEL: Mark 3:13-19
THEME: JESUS THE HIGH PRIEST
In Judeo-Christian tradition, holy people are noted to be powerful intercessors. For example, Moses lifted up his hands in prayer in the fight against the Amalekites and the Israelites won (cf. Ex. 17:8ff). On mount Carmel, Elijah crouched down to the earth and put his head in between his knees in prayer and the rains came at a time of drought (cf.1 Kings 18:42ff).
The author of the Letter to the Hebrews, knowing the connection between sanctity and intercession, describes Jesus, the High Priest, as “holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens” (Heb. 7:26). He then goes ahead and adds that Jesus is “seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord” (Heb. 8:1-2). In sum, he describes Jesus as a very powerful intercessor.
The Levitical priests needed to offer animals over and over again for the atonement of their sins and that of the people. Jesus, however, offered himself once and for all as an unblemished sacrifice – a sacrifice that is valid and effective from one generation to the other.
At every Holy Mass, we renew our faith in this one sacrifice of Christ. In a mysterious way, Jesus makes himself present. As we share in this one sacrifice of Christ at Mass, we receive all the blessings that go with the sacrifice.
What is your concern this day? What is it that you want the Father to do in your life? In my journey of faith, I have learnt to send my difficult battles to the Holy Mass, trusting in the powerful intercession of Jesus, and I say to the glory of God that He has never disappointed me. Yes, in the person of Jesus, we have a powerful intercessor – “He is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25).
PRAYER: Eternal Father, may the power of the sacrifice of your Son Jesus on the cross bring me victory in every area of my life. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).