Homily the Second Monday of Ordinary Time (Hebrews 5:1-10) “Every Priest is Human”
Homily the Second Monday of Ordinary Time (Hebrews 5:1-10) “Every Priest is Human”
Priests are meant to be intermediaries for the faithful. Such it was in the Jewish faith. The Jewish priests offered sacrifices to the Lord. The sacrifices were very often sin offerings.
The priests were very aware of their special function, but they were also aware of their own human faults and failings. Quite often they would offer sacrifices for their own sins before they offered sacrifices for other people’s sins.
The writer from Hebrews pointed out that Jesus is superior to other priests because he did not have to offer sacrifices for his own sins. But the writer of Hebrews is quick to point out that Jesus was sympathetic to people’s weakness. Why? Because he had been tempted in every way himself.
Jesus, according to the writer of Hebrews, had the virtue of metriopatheia which was the midpoint between extravagant grief and utter indifference. Spiritual writers teach about how we are to let things go. We are not to get too excited about things. Yet, we all know that we must feel passionate about things if we are going to get anything done.
Whenever we react to any surprise in life, we can get very excited or emotional and we can try to be indifferent. Virtue always lies in the middle of these two temptations. Jesus tried never to overreact, but he cared deeply about people. Perhaps a good adjective to describe him was that he was empathetic.
Empathy is a wonderful virtue. We can pity people, but then again, we can be empathetic which says I know how you feel because I have been there. Jesus has experienced whatever we have, and he is empathetic.
Reflection Questions,
- Do I believe Jesus understands the many temptations I have in life? What makes me think so?
- Is there a value to priesthood? Our priests necessary in the church?
Dear Parishioners,
Two of the COVID 19 protocols at Sacred Heart during the last year has been that we have not received communion from the cup, and we do not receive communion on the tongue. The reason for these practices is obvious. We do not want to spread disease through communion. There is the potential of spreading it to other congregants and we could give COVID 19 to the priests. Drinking from the common cup or touching the tongue of another is not a wise thing to do right now.
The choice about communion in the hand is left up to the pastor by our bishop. I have chosen not to allow it for everyone’s safety. People will say to me at times that they cannot receive communion in the hand because they believe it is not reverent. Having pious practices are fine if they do not have the potential to harm others. When that is case, then we should adjust our piety for the common good. There is nothing irreverent about receiving communion in the hand.
When Jesus celebrated Eucharist for the first time, he said simply, take and eat and take and drink. The first Eucharist was celebrated at a meal where the disciples were lying around a table. It was a very informal setting. When we get too caught up in our piety we need to go back to the original source (scripture) and reflect on what is there because it describes the essential ritual.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark