Meditation for Friday
of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 8:6-13; Mk
3:13-19)
Today’s reading from the Letter to the Hebrews started off where we ended yesterday, reminding us again that the ministerial priesthood of Jesus Christ, which He obtained for the Church, stands secure on better promises than the priesthood of the old! That means it is more effective. The author explains that the covenant of old that God entered with the house of Israel was not perfect enough, and they were not faithful to it. “For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I paid no heed to them, says the Lord.”
Through the prophets, God promised a new covenant, which will be perfect and unbroken. In describing the new and perfect covenant, He says, “I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people...For all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” And the new covenant requires a new priesthood to ‘administer’ its graces. Jesus, in whom this new covenant is established, becomes also the perfect High Priest for it. The failure of this new covenant would imply that Jesus failed Himself, which is not possible.
Finally the author explains that the establishment of the new covenant, with its ministerial priesthood, automatically closes up the old priesthood founded on the old covenant. That is why we are called up to Jesus the Perfect High Priest, in whose one perfect sacrifice our sins are forgiven and our cries are heard. “And Jesus went up on the mountain, and called to Him those whom He desired; and they came to Him.” Let us go up to Him; lifting up our hearts and minds to Him in meditation and prayer that the graces of His one perfect sacrifice will fill our day. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic
Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday January 22nd,
2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com
