Welcome to the Pauline Family's "Year of the Bible"! We've been reading the Bible clear through this year. We are finishing the New Testament, so read along with me. But first, let us pray:
Father,
When the fullness of time had come, you sent your Word in the One who said, “Whoever sees me, sees the Father.” No revelation can surpass this until Jesus comes again. By your gift, the Church continues to receive unfathomable riches from the inheritance handed on from the Apostles and guaranteed by the Holy Spirit.
Let the Spirit who inspired the writing of today's pages "guide me in the truth and teach me" to follow Jesus ever more closely, until he calls me to follow him to the Kingdom where he lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Today's chapters are Hebrews 4-6.
The exhortation from Chapter 3, which reminded us of so much of what we read over the past year, now turns from the past to the present, but in view of the future: our future! "A sabbath rest still remains for the people of God.... Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest" (Heb 4:9, 11). Jesus, our "great High Priest" (4:14) is already there, "the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him" (5:9).
The passages we read today are rich in theological reflection about the redemptive death of Jesus, and what it means that he is a "priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek" (cf Ps 110; Heb 5:6, 10); 6:20. But the whole thrust is to exhort people who may have grown weary under the burden of persecution and who might be losing heart, not seeing any sign of God's promises on the horizon. Notice how many forms of encouragement the preacher offers (and will offer!): examples, yes, but also reminders of God's faithfulness to his promises, and the reality that Jesus is really there, his risen flesh (to which we are united by Baptism and Eucharist) already enthroned in Heaven in glory.
Start reading here.
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