Every priest stands daily at his ministry,
offering frequently those same sacrifices
that can never take away sins.
But this one offered one sacrifice for sins,
and took his seat forever at the right hand of God;
now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool.
I n his book, An Introduction to the Old Testament, Walter Brueggemann speaks of two competing theological traditions, and of how their synchronicity created the Bible. They are the Deuteronomic, which gave us the Book of Deuteronomy and much of the Books of Samuel and Kings; and the Priestly, which shaped especially the writing of Ezekiel.
He confirms a fascinating dimension of Ezekiel's prophecy which gets little attention in our religion. Ezekiel's LORD acts to gather Israel to its homeland because they have become an embarrassment to the LORD. Although his punishment scattered them throughout the world, their diaspora has only brought shame upon the Holy Name of God. He saves them not because they deserve to save, and not even because they have recognized their foolishness and repented after being severely punished, but because the pagans are mocking the people of God and their God.
This is good news, though it might not feel like it at first. But, if our salvation must be a response to our worthiness and admirable fidelity, it ain't going to happen! We are never going to measure up. We can hope in God's impatience, and that he'll bring us and the whole world to our senses to serve his purpose, and not our own.
The presence of Jesus among us further demonstrates Ezekiel's hope. Although Mary of Galilee is certainly a worthy Mother of God, it's not as if she earned it. It was given to her in the Immaculate Conception and she was wise enough by that free, unsolicited gift to grow from grace to grace. She became by God's mercy what no one could deserve or expect.
If no one can claim her merit, we can nonetheless hope for a similar blessing as we grow daily more fascinated and drawn to God. We may someday ask, when a sinful option appears, "Why would I do that? Wild horses cannot drag me from Him!
When the scriptures and our sacraments do not remind us that we are called to be God's Holy People, the world reminds us. They expect more of Catholics, even if they don't like us. They want us to welcome the alien, feed the hungry, care for the needy, oppose abortion, and denounce suicide in every form. They want us to love God and honor the Holy Name of Jesus, and are rightfully disappointed when we use profanity. If they have license to sin, we do not.
They know that; we sometimes forget.
This holiness is the mission of priests, whether they be the Lord Jesus, the ordained clergy, or God's Priestly People. As priests we are the sacred presence of God in the world. The Letters to the Hebrews came to that insight late in the first century, as the Church reflected ever more deeply upon the life, career, death, and resurrection of Mary's Son.
Reflecting God's holiness, we have only to wait until our enemies are made our footstool.
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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.