Daily Readings - Thu Jan 23 2025

Hebrews

25And for this reason, he is able, continuously, to save those who approach God through him, since he is ever alive to make intercession on our behalf26For it was fitting that we should have such a High Priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted higher than the heavens27And he has no need, daily, in the manner of other priests, to offer sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people. For he has done this once, by offering himself28For the law appoints men as priests, though they have infirmities. But, by the word of the oath that is after the law, the Son has been perfected for eternity
1Now the main point in the things that have been stated is this: that we have so great a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in the heavens2who is the minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which was established by the Lord, not by man3For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, it is necessary for him also to have something to offer4And so, if he were upon the earth, he would not be a priest, since there would be others to offer gifts according to the law5gifts which serve as mere examples and shadows of the heavenly things. And so it was answered to Moses, when he was about to complete the tabernacle: "See to it," he said, "that you make everything according to the example which was revealed to you on the mountain.6But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises

Mark

7But Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea. And a great crowd followed him from Galilee and Judea8and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea and across the Jordan. And those around Tyre and Sidon, upon hearing what he was doing, came to him in a great multitude9And he told his disciples that a small boat would be useful to him, because of the crowd, lest they press upon him10For he healed so many, that as many of them as had wounds would rush toward him in order to touch him11And the unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell prostrate before him. And they cried out, saying12"You are the Son of God." And he strongly admonished them, lest they make him known

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two profound reflections on the ministry of Jesus Christ. The first, from the Letter to the Hebrews, presents Jesus as the eternal High Priest who intercedes for us in heaven. This passage contrasts Jesus with the priests of the old covenant, emphasizing His unique role as the perfect mediator who offered Himself once for all sins. The second reading, from the Gospel of Mark, depicts Jesus ministering to a multitude by the sea, healing the sick, and demonstrating His divine authority over unclean spirits. These readings invite us to reflect on the nature of Christ's priesthood and His mission of salvation. The context of the Hebrews passage is rooted in the Jewish understanding of priesthood and sacrifice. The author explains that Jesus, as the perfect High Priest, transcends the limitations of the earthly priesthood. He does not need to offer sacrifices daily because His one sacrifice on the cross was sufficient for all time. In Mark's Gospel, the scene by the sea shows Jesus in the midst of His earthly ministry, surrounded by crowds seeking healing and deliverance. The unclean spirits recognize His divine identity, but Jesus silences them, perhaps to emphasize that His true identity would be revealed through His death and resurrection. These readings are deeply connected. The Gospel shows Jesus fulfilling the role described in Hebrews as the one who heals and saves. While the crowds press in to touch Him, Jesus is already living out the priesthood that would culminate in His sacrifice on the cross. For us today, this means we can trust in Jesus' ongoing intercession and His power to heal and transform our lives. We are called to approach Him with faith, seeking His touch and His grace, just as the people in the Gospel did. As we reflect on these readings, let us remember that Jesus is our eternal High Priest who continually intercedes for us. May we turn to Him in our needs, trusting in His power to heal and save. Let us also imitate His humility and focus on serving others, as He did by the sea. In a world that often seeks quick fixes and fleeting solutions, may we find our strength and hope in the eternal priesthood of Christ, who is always alive to save us.