Now our high priest has obtained so much more excellent a ministry
as he is mediator of a better covenant,
enacted on better promises.
T he Church has believed ever since the days of the Lord's Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost that the ministry of Jesus is "so much more excellent" than everything that went before; or that might occur later.
Periodically, new sects appear claiming a new revelation; they describe an unimaginable scenario which should transcend any work of God that we have yet seen. Theirs might be a fair claim since the claims of Catholicism -- their full extant -- are also unimaginable; but when we gaze upon the humanity of Christ we know we are looking into the eyes of God. We know this mystery eternally pleases and satisfies God, and no further sacrifice can be offered. Could the death of God's only Son be surpassed?
The Covenant -- that is, the Word of God -- has become a human being. And we know in our bones that a human being is forever. When we remember that by his death he has defeated sin and death, we know that he is a human being forever. And there can be no greater revelation than a man who is God. Just as the Word of God endures forever, so does this man.
Isaiah announced the supremacy of Israel's God doctrine when it appeared that he had been surpassed by the gods of Babylon and Persia, but the Prophet knew those gods were only the bombastic claims of human rulers. Saint Peter, in the tradition of his Jewish ancestors, quoted Isaiah in his first Letter.
The daily challenge for us is to be amazed in the presence of God. We practice amazement, appreciation, and admiration as we attend our daily prayers. We should bring the same attitude to our families and loved ones, and practice them with colleagues and strangers. Any fool can watch videos and YouTube shorts and be amused by the weird things they throw at us, but grace challenges us to see the Glory of God -- the mighty works of God -- in the everyday events of our life. We can be amazed by the very attitude of delight which appears in our battle-hardened hearts, and thank God for that also!
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.