As long as we dwell in this flesh, we have a lot of opportunities to commit sins. Like it or not, there are a host of needs to be satisfied: hunger, thirst, rest, sex, curiosity, money, honour, power etc. As long as we satisfy these needs in an appropriate manner, not too little, not too much, though most of the time, it is safer to opt for the deficient side. Let's face it. This is reality. Christians are not immune to temptations and sins after baptism. They need to work really hard not to commit sins. Therefore, it is rather disturbing to read the following verse from the Hebrews.
For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries (Hebrews 10:26-27).
In trying to demonstrate the superiority of Jesus' sacrifice over all the daily, yearly offerings of sacrifice prescribed by the Torah, the author of Hebrews argued that Jesus did this once and for all (Hebrews 7:27). It was not necessary for Jesus to offer himself repeatedly. Therefore, his sacrifice is superior.
From what the author wrote above (10:26), it seems that Jesus' sacrifice does not cover the sins committed after baptism, after receiving the knowledge of the truth. In other words, Jesus' sacrifice does not cover all. It is incomplete and contradicts his previous claim (7:27). It also contradicts what Christians believe and practise. Protestants pray to God to obtain forgiveness of their sins. Catholics go to confessions, to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation to have their sins forgiven. So, how should we understand Hebrews 10:26? Or did the author make a mistake?
Obviously, the author wanted to warn against the abuse of freedom granted in the New Covenant. With greater freedom comes greater responsibility. We partakers of the New Covenant have to keep ourselves free from the slavery of sins. We have the Holy Spirit to help us transcend our lowly humanity. There remains tensions between the call to sanctification and our fleshly desires. St. Paul expresses it in the two laws.
I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do (Romans 7:19).
This tension remains as long as we live. The author of Hebrews resorts to the fearful prospect of judgment to warn against the abuse of God's grace after baptism.
Vengeance is mine, I will repay (Hebrews 10:30, Deuteronomy 32:35a).
The author of Hebrews also resorts to what his readers have done well.
But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.
For you had compassion on the prisoners, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one (Hebrews 10:32-34).
Persecutions are good in purifying our evil tendencies. Joyfully accept them to be purified.
Dear Lord, You chasten those You love. May our hope in heavenly inheritance sustains us along our way home. Amen.
Appendix:
dies without mercy at the testimony of two or three witnesses.
ἐπὶ δυσὶν ἢ τρισὶν μάρτυσιν ἀποθνῄσκει· (Hebrews 10:28b)
ἐπὶ δυσὶν μάρτυσιν ἢ ἐπὶ τρισὶν μάρτυσιν ἀποθανεῖται ὁ ἀποθνῄσκων (Deuteronomy 17:6a).
Vengeance is mine, I will repay. ἐμοὶ ἐκδίκησις, ἐγὼ ἀνταποδώσω. (Hebrews 10:30a)
ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἐκδικήσεως ἀνταποδώσω (Deuteronomy 32:35a)
The Lord will judge his people. κρινεῖ κύριος τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ. (Hebrews 10:30b)
ὅτι κρινεῖ κύριος τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ (Deuteronomy 32:36a)
For yet a little while,
ἔτι γὰρ μικρὸν ὅσον ὅσον, (Hebrews 10:37a)
μικρὸν ὅσον ὅσον, (Isaiah 26:20)
and the coming one shall come and shall not tarry;
but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him. ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἥξει καὶ οὐ χρονίσει
ὁ δὲ δίκαιός μου ἐκ πίστεως ζήσεται, καὶ ἐὰν ὑποστείληται, οὐκ εὐδοκεῖ ἡ ψυχή μου ἐν αὐτῷ. (Hebrews 10:37b-38)
ὅτι ἐρχόμενος ἥξει καὶ οὐ μὴ χρονίσῃ.
ἐὰν ὑποστείληται, οὐκ εὐδοκεῖ ἡ ψυχή μου ἐν αὐτῷ, ὁ δὲ δίκαιος ἐκ πίστεώς μου ζήσεται. (Habakkuk 2:3b-4)
Friday 30 January 2009
Thursday 29 January 2009
How do Christians approach heaven?
Faith in a deity/deities is the cornerstone of all religions but faith is intangible. It cannot be captured by any scientific instruments nor observed under any microscopes. Unlike experiments in laboratory or observations carried out in observatories above high mountains, incidents of faith cannot be repeated, nor verified by others.
There is internal coherence within a certain faith but most of the time, it defies logical analysis. Faith has her own system of reasoning. It doesn't mean that faith is always personal and subjective. Faith can be shared within a community. In short, faith is the story of a community, or of an individual. Faith lends meaning to their lives. You may disagree with the details of their stories, but the meaning conveyed within these stories is irrefutable. You either take it or leave it. Don't ask for evidence or logical proof.
Why do I need such a contorted introduction? It is because when we follow the logic of the epistle of Hebrews, we have to take some premises for granted. The author relies heavily on quotations from the Hebrew Scripture, the Torah, the Prophets and Psalms. Yet, what made him so sure that these quotations referred to Jesus Christ? What qualified Christianity the New Covenant referred to by Jeremiah? These quotations were written long before Jesus was born. It was impossible to have Jesus' identity embedded in the text. Rather, Christians read Jesus into the text. For example, the 5 prophecies about the Messiah mentioned in Matthew 1-2. Only Christians accept Jesus as Christ. Many others don't. Granted that the scripture was divinely inspired and that it was capable of correctly predicting the future, what makes Christians so certain that the faith they embrace is the promised one, and not some other systems in the future? I am afraid there is no evidence, nor proof but pure faith.
Based on the testimony of generations of witnesses since the age of the Apostles, Christians find purposes and meanings in their own life renewed through the Passion/Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Of course, a touching story is not enough to move people so much so that they are willing to lay down their lives for this faith. The Holy Spirit must be at work as well.
The author of Hebrews himself believed in Jesus Christ. He interpreted the Hebrew Scripture in light of the Passion/Resurrection/Ascension of Jesus. Jesus was the Son of God (Psalm 2:7). He came to do God's will (Psalm 40:8). After Jesus' Passion, God raised Jesus to glory (Psalm 110:1) and established him as an eternal High Priest (Psalm 110:4) to set up a new Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31) in which God will not remember the sins of His people (Jeremiah 31:34). The author intended to raise the status of Christianity above Judaism. His reasoning was coherent, only that he had not proved that Jesus was the Christ they had been expecting and that Jesus was the Son of God as he claimed. These are basic premises he has taken for granted and he expects his readers to do the same. The author wrote for believers. Non-believers had better consult some other books.
Now that you are a believer, what advice does the author of Hebrews give?
Jesus has redeemed us with blood. He is now the High Priest in heaven and he has taught us a new way of life on earth. So, how should Christians approach heaven?
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful;
and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:22-25).
Our hearts must be true. They should not harbour any ulterior motives.
Our hearts must be clean. They should be free from fleshly desires.
Our bodies must be baptised to acknowledge our alliance with Christ and fellow Christians.
Our faith in the hope of the Kingdom of God must stand firm.
Our life must be one of charity, of communion and of edification.
Christ is faithful. His Judgment Day is drawing near. It will not be long.
Dear Lord, let us follow the footsteps and advice of St. Paul who holds You close to his heart. May we be able to draw nearer daily to You. Amen.
There is internal coherence within a certain faith but most of the time, it defies logical analysis. Faith has her own system of reasoning. It doesn't mean that faith is always personal and subjective. Faith can be shared within a community. In short, faith is the story of a community, or of an individual. Faith lends meaning to their lives. You may disagree with the details of their stories, but the meaning conveyed within these stories is irrefutable. You either take it or leave it. Don't ask for evidence or logical proof.
Why do I need such a contorted introduction? It is because when we follow the logic of the epistle of Hebrews, we have to take some premises for granted. The author relies heavily on quotations from the Hebrew Scripture, the Torah, the Prophets and Psalms. Yet, what made him so sure that these quotations referred to Jesus Christ? What qualified Christianity the New Covenant referred to by Jeremiah? These quotations were written long before Jesus was born. It was impossible to have Jesus' identity embedded in the text. Rather, Christians read Jesus into the text. For example, the 5 prophecies about the Messiah mentioned in Matthew 1-2. Only Christians accept Jesus as Christ. Many others don't. Granted that the scripture was divinely inspired and that it was capable of correctly predicting the future, what makes Christians so certain that the faith they embrace is the promised one, and not some other systems in the future? I am afraid there is no evidence, nor proof but pure faith.
Based on the testimony of generations of witnesses since the age of the Apostles, Christians find purposes and meanings in their own life renewed through the Passion/Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Of course, a touching story is not enough to move people so much so that they are willing to lay down their lives for this faith. The Holy Spirit must be at work as well.
The author of Hebrews himself believed in Jesus Christ. He interpreted the Hebrew Scripture in light of the Passion/Resurrection/Ascension of Jesus. Jesus was the Son of God (Psalm 2:7). He came to do God's will (Psalm 40:8). After Jesus' Passion, God raised Jesus to glory (Psalm 110:1) and established him as an eternal High Priest (Psalm 110:4) to set up a new Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31) in which God will not remember the sins of His people (Jeremiah 31:34). The author intended to raise the status of Christianity above Judaism. His reasoning was coherent, only that he had not proved that Jesus was the Christ they had been expecting and that Jesus was the Son of God as he claimed. These are basic premises he has taken for granted and he expects his readers to do the same. The author wrote for believers. Non-believers had better consult some other books.
Now that you are a believer, what advice does the author of Hebrews give?
Jesus has redeemed us with blood. He is now the High Priest in heaven and he has taught us a new way of life on earth. So, how should Christians approach heaven?
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful;
and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:22-25).
Our hearts must be true. They should not harbour any ulterior motives.
Our hearts must be clean. They should be free from fleshly desires.
Our bodies must be baptised to acknowledge our alliance with Christ and fellow Christians.
Our faith in the hope of the Kingdom of God must stand firm.
Our life must be one of charity, of communion and of edification.
Christ is faithful. His Judgment Day is drawing near. It will not be long.
Dear Lord, let us follow the footsteps and advice of St. Paul who holds You close to his heart. May we be able to draw nearer daily to You. Amen.
Wednesday 28 January 2009
Have Christians abolished sacrifices?
The author of Hebrews was eager to show the ineffectiveness of the Jewish sacrificial rites. He has successfully proved that the blood of bulls, the fats of rams could never take away sins although they had been offered continually (Hebrews 10:4). Christians possess a far superior sacrifice of the Son of God, who once and for all, takes away the sins of the world. John the Baptist bore this witness, calling Jesus the "Lamb of God" twice (John 1:29, 36).
The author of Hebrews focuses on Jesus' single sacrifice and his ascension instead. The author relies on Jesus' ascension to show the superiority of Christian sacrifice. The earthly priests offered sacrifices daily and yearly and failed to take away the sins of the people, thus bringing them closer to the sanctuary. Christ did it once and entered the heavenly sanctuary. We Christians hold on our faith in Jesus and obtain admittance.
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet (Hebrews 10:12-13, Psalm 110:1b).
The author of Hebrews did not elaborate on the image of "a stool for his feet" which is probably an echo of the image of bruising the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15). Rather, he focuses on the effectiveness of Jesus' sacrifice which cleans all our sins, elevate us to a sanctified life.
For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified (Hebrews 10:14).
The author was confident of his conclusion because he found in Jeremiah 31, a prooftext to show that in this New Covenant established by Christ, God would ignore our sins.
then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their misdeeds no more." (Hebrews 10:17, Jeremiah 31:34b)
Through his Passion/Resurrection, Jesus has established this New Covenant in which God will ignore our sins. It was enough for Jesus to die once to save the world. Christians find it absurd for Jesus to die repeatedly, like those bulls and lambs offered in the Temple. The effect of his sacrifice is eternal. Therefore, Jesus needs not die repeatedly.
Now what about the other functions of offering sacrifice, say thanksgiving and communion? Should Christians offer sacrifice to thank God or simply do away with sacrifice and do something else instead? How do Christians show their solidarity and communion in ways other than sacrifices? Obviously, offering sacrifice is only one of the many ways to express thanksgiving and communion. Liturgical theologians will offer us enough suggestions to get things done. Let's turn to other issues.
King David had lamented his plights as follow.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me (Psalm 51:3).
Here is an example to show the ineffectiveness of the previous sacrifices. Yet it serves a function healthy for our spiritual life. It reminds us of our need of God's mercy. The superiority of Christian sacrifice championed by the author of Hebrews suffers a hidden weakness. The New Covenant, in which God ignores our sins, gives Christians a freedom never before enjoyed by anybody, not even King David. It is a new license to commit more sins. Given a new freedom, who would not exercise it, and exercise it to the maximum?
Theologically, God ignores our sins. That doesn't mean we are immune from the consequences of sins. We are not yet bulletproof and even if we are bulletproof, we will inflict harm on others. St. Paul understood this loophole well. He devoted another epistle to discuss freedom and warned against abusing it. Here is a quotation.
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another (Galatians 5:13).
Good advice. St. Paul skilfully imposes a limit on freedom with charity.
Dear Lord, without Your love, we are nothing. With love, we can be edifying. Make us Your instrument of justice and peace. Amen.
Appendix:
then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet.
τὸ λοιπὸν ἐκδεχόμενος ἕως τεθῶσιν οἱ ἐχθροὶ αὐτοῦ ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ (Hebrews 10:13)
ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου. (Psalm 109:1b LXX, 110:1b).
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds," then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their misdeeds no more."
αὕτη ἡ διαθήκη ἣν διαθήσομαι πρὸς αὐτοὺς μετὰ τὰς ἡμέρας ἐκείνας, λέγει κύριος· διδοὺς νόμους μου ἐπὶ καρδίας αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν διάνοιαν αὐτῶν ἐπιγράψω αὐτούς,
καὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν ἀνομιῶν αὐτῶν οὐ μὴ μνησθήσομαι ἔτι. (Hebrews 10:16-17)
ὅτι αὕτη ἡ διαθήκη, ἣν διαθήσομαι τῷ οἴκῳ Ισραηλ μετὰ τὰς ἡμέρας ἐκείνας, φησὶν κύριος Διδοὺς δώσω νόμους μου εἰς τὴν διάνοιαν αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ καρδίας αὐτῶν γράψω αὐτούς,
καὶ οὐ μὴ διδάξωσιν ἕκαστος τὸν πολίτην αὐτοῦ καὶ ἕκαστος τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ λέγων Γνῶθι τὸν κύριον, ὅτι πάντες εἰδήσουσίν με ἀπὸ μικροῦ αὐτῶν καὶ ἕως μεγάλου αὐτῶν, ὅτι ἵλεως ἔσομαι ταῖς ἀδικίαις αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν οὐ μὴ μνησθῶ ἔτι. (Jeremiah 38:33-34 LXX, 31:33-34 MT)
The author of Hebrews focuses on Jesus' single sacrifice and his ascension instead. The author relies on Jesus' ascension to show the superiority of Christian sacrifice. The earthly priests offered sacrifices daily and yearly and failed to take away the sins of the people, thus bringing them closer to the sanctuary. Christ did it once and entered the heavenly sanctuary. We Christians hold on our faith in Jesus and obtain admittance.
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet (Hebrews 10:12-13, Psalm 110:1b).
The author of Hebrews did not elaborate on the image of "a stool for his feet" which is probably an echo of the image of bruising the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15). Rather, he focuses on the effectiveness of Jesus' sacrifice which cleans all our sins, elevate us to a sanctified life.
For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified (Hebrews 10:14).
The author was confident of his conclusion because he found in Jeremiah 31, a prooftext to show that in this New Covenant established by Christ, God would ignore our sins.
then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their misdeeds no more." (Hebrews 10:17, Jeremiah 31:34b)
Through his Passion/Resurrection, Jesus has established this New Covenant in which God will ignore our sins. It was enough for Jesus to die once to save the world. Christians find it absurd for Jesus to die repeatedly, like those bulls and lambs offered in the Temple. The effect of his sacrifice is eternal. Therefore, Jesus needs not die repeatedly.
Now what about the other functions of offering sacrifice, say thanksgiving and communion? Should Christians offer sacrifice to thank God or simply do away with sacrifice and do something else instead? How do Christians show their solidarity and communion in ways other than sacrifices? Obviously, offering sacrifice is only one of the many ways to express thanksgiving and communion. Liturgical theologians will offer us enough suggestions to get things done. Let's turn to other issues.
King David had lamented his plights as follow.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me (Psalm 51:3).
Here is an example to show the ineffectiveness of the previous sacrifices. Yet it serves a function healthy for our spiritual life. It reminds us of our need of God's mercy. The superiority of Christian sacrifice championed by the author of Hebrews suffers a hidden weakness. The New Covenant, in which God ignores our sins, gives Christians a freedom never before enjoyed by anybody, not even King David. It is a new license to commit more sins. Given a new freedom, who would not exercise it, and exercise it to the maximum?
Theologically, God ignores our sins. That doesn't mean we are immune from the consequences of sins. We are not yet bulletproof and even if we are bulletproof, we will inflict harm on others. St. Paul understood this loophole well. He devoted another epistle to discuss freedom and warned against abusing it. Here is a quotation.
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another (Galatians 5:13).
Good advice. St. Paul skilfully imposes a limit on freedom with charity.
Dear Lord, without Your love, we are nothing. With love, we can be edifying. Make us Your instrument of justice and peace. Amen.
Appendix:
then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet.
τὸ λοιπὸν ἐκδεχόμενος ἕως τεθῶσιν οἱ ἐχθροὶ αὐτοῦ ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ (Hebrews 10:13)
ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου. (Psalm 109:1b LXX, 110:1b).
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds," then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their misdeeds no more."
αὕτη ἡ διαθήκη ἣν διαθήσομαι πρὸς αὐτοὺς μετὰ τὰς ἡμέρας ἐκείνας, λέγει κύριος· διδοὺς νόμους μου ἐπὶ καρδίας αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν διάνοιαν αὐτῶν ἐπιγράψω αὐτούς,
καὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν ἀνομιῶν αὐτῶν οὐ μὴ μνησθήσομαι ἔτι. (Hebrews 10:16-17)
ὅτι αὕτη ἡ διαθήκη, ἣν διαθήσομαι τῷ οἴκῳ Ισραηλ μετὰ τὰς ἡμέρας ἐκείνας, φησὶν κύριος Διδοὺς δώσω νόμους μου εἰς τὴν διάνοιαν αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ καρδίας αὐτῶν γράψω αὐτούς,
καὶ οὐ μὴ διδάξωσιν ἕκαστος τὸν πολίτην αὐτοῦ καὶ ἕκαστος τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ λέγων Γνῶθι τὸν κύριον, ὅτι πάντες εἰδήσουσίν με ἀπὸ μικροῦ αὐτῶν καὶ ἕως μεγάλου αὐτῶν, ὅτι ἵλεως ἔσομαι ταῖς ἀδικίαις αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν οὐ μὴ μνησθῶ ἔτι. (Jeremiah 38:33-34 LXX, 31:33-34 MT)
Tuesday 27 January 2009
Why do people offer sacrifices?
In their dealing with God, people offer prayers and sacrifices. Sacrifices serve several purposes. To thank the deity for the favour granted. To appease the deity. To repay the wrongs done. To die in my stead. To join the partakers into one etc. We should be grateful to God for all His blessings. In return, we show our gratitude by offering sacrifices. When disasters strike, we prevent further damages by offering sacrifices to pacify the wrath of God. When we have done wrong, we repay with sacrifices. When the wrong is so grave that we should die, we kill a bull in our stead. In ceremonies, offering sacrifices join the partakers into one community etc.
Now, the author of Hebrews focuses on one aspect of sacrifices to show that Jesus' sacrifice excels the previous sacrifices under the Old Covenant. The previous tent was only a shadowy copy. The previous sacrifices fail to make perfect those who offer them.
For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices which are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near (Hebrews 10:1).
These previous sacrifices were inferior because the blood of bulls and goats failed to take away sins. Only the blood of Christ can.
But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year.
For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins (Hebrews 10:3-4).
Christians are blessed because they have been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ. In fact, God is not blood-thirsty. He does not desire blood nor fat of the animals. He wants us to do His will. God wants us to love Him and our neighbours.
Dear Lord, You have ransomed us with a high price. Now, it is our turn to make good use of this freedom to build the kingdom of God on earth. Amen.
Appendix:
Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired, but a body hast thou prepared for me;
in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no pleasure.
Then I said, `Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God,' as it is written of me in the roll of the book."θυσίαν καὶ προσφορὰν οὐκ ἠθέλησας, σῶμα δὲ κατηρτίσω μοι·
ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας οὐκ εὐδόκησας.
τότε εἶπον· ἰδοὺ ἥκω, ἐν κεφαλίδι βιβλίου γέγραπται περὶ ἐμοῦ, τοῦ ποιῆσαι ὁ θεὸς τὸ θέλημά σου. (Hebrews 10:5b-7)
θυσίαν καὶ προσφορὰν οὐκ ἠθέλησας, ὠτία δὲ κατηρτίσω μοι, ὁλοκαύτωμα καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας οὐκ ᾔτησας.
τότε εἶπον Ἰδοὺ ἥκω, ἐν κεφαλίδι βιβλίου γέγραπται περὶ ἐμοῦ,
τοῦ ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημά σου, ὁ θεός μου (Psalm 39:7-9a LXX, 40:7-9a MT)
Thou hast neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings
θυσίας καὶ προσφορὰς καὶ ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίαςοὐκ ἠθέλησας οὐδὲ εὐδόκησας, (Hebrews 10:8)
And Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ Εἰ θελητὸν τῷ κυρίῳ ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ θυσίαι ὡς τὸ ἀκοῦσαι φωνῆς κυρίου; ἰδοὺ ἀκοὴ ὑπὲρ θυσίαν ἀγαθὴ καὶ ἡ ἐπακρόασις ὑπὲρ στέαρ κριῶν, (1 Samuel 15:22).
Lo, I have come to do thy will.ἰδοὺ ἥκω τοῦ ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημά σου (Hebrews 10:9b)
I delight to do thy will, O my God; thy law is within my heart.τοῦ ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημά σου, ὁ θεός μου, ἐβουλήθην καὶ τὸν νόμον σου ἐν μέσῳ τῆς κοιλίας μου. (Psalm 39:9 LXX, 40:9 MT)
Now, the author of Hebrews focuses on one aspect of sacrifices to show that Jesus' sacrifice excels the previous sacrifices under the Old Covenant. The previous tent was only a shadowy copy. The previous sacrifices fail to make perfect those who offer them.
For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices which are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near (Hebrews 10:1).
These previous sacrifices were inferior because the blood of bulls and goats failed to take away sins. Only the blood of Christ can.
But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year.
For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins (Hebrews 10:3-4).
Christians are blessed because they have been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ. In fact, God is not blood-thirsty. He does not desire blood nor fat of the animals. He wants us to do His will. God wants us to love Him and our neighbours.
Dear Lord, You have ransomed us with a high price. Now, it is our turn to make good use of this freedom to build the kingdom of God on earth. Amen.
Appendix:
Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired, but a body hast thou prepared for me;
in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no pleasure.
Then I said, `Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God,' as it is written of me in the roll of the book."θυσίαν καὶ προσφορὰν οὐκ ἠθέλησας, σῶμα δὲ κατηρτίσω μοι·
ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας οὐκ εὐδόκησας.
τότε εἶπον· ἰδοὺ ἥκω, ἐν κεφαλίδι βιβλίου γέγραπται περὶ ἐμοῦ, τοῦ ποιῆσαι ὁ θεὸς τὸ θέλημά σου. (Hebrews 10:5b-7)
θυσίαν καὶ προσφορὰν οὐκ ἠθέλησας, ὠτία δὲ κατηρτίσω μοι, ὁλοκαύτωμα καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας οὐκ ᾔτησας.
τότε εἶπον Ἰδοὺ ἥκω, ἐν κεφαλίδι βιβλίου γέγραπται περὶ ἐμοῦ,
τοῦ ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημά σου, ὁ θεός μου (Psalm 39:7-9a LXX, 40:7-9a MT)
Thou hast neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings
θυσίας καὶ προσφορὰς καὶ ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίαςοὐκ ἠθέλησας οὐδὲ εὐδόκησας, (Hebrews 10:8)
And Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ Εἰ θελητὸν τῷ κυρίῳ ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ θυσίαι ὡς τὸ ἀκοῦσαι φωνῆς κυρίου; ἰδοὺ ἀκοὴ ὑπὲρ θυσίαν ἀγαθὴ καὶ ἡ ἐπακρόασις ὑπὲρ στέαρ κριῶν, (1 Samuel 15:22).
Lo, I have come to do thy will.ἰδοὺ ἥκω τοῦ ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημά σου (Hebrews 10:9b)
I delight to do thy will, O my God; thy law is within my heart.τοῦ ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημά σου, ὁ θεός μου, ἐβουλήθην καὶ τὸν νόμον σου ἐν μέσῳ τῆς κοιλίας μου. (Psalm 39:9 LXX, 40:9 MT)
Monday 26 January 2009
Happy Lunar New Year of the Ox
Ox is hardworking and benefits man.
Quietly chewing a mouthful of hay is an ox's satisfaction.
May the Ox inspire us to weather through this financial crisis.
May God's blessing come with every red packet you give/receive.
HAPPY OX YEAR
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, it is our routine to go to church and celebrate mass and visit my parents and the in-laws. It is a blessing from God that my aging parents are still very healthy. Three generations gathered together, sharing meals and chatting. The feeling was warm and it was comforting to visit our roots, regenerating each other.
May the ever loving Lord keep us in this life and the life to come. Amen.
Sunday 25 January 2009
3rd Ordinary Sunday (Year B)
Today, Fr. Martin celebrated the 11 a.m. mass with us. It was also a youth mass in which Ka Bo was the M.C. and of course, we sang with electric guitars, drums and PowerPoint. Every time, some minor hiccups would come up to spice up the excitements.
In his homily, Fr. Martin brought our attention to God's purpose for our lives, not our own purposes. God does not want us to slave ourselves, work and work until we return to Him. God wants us to be something. For example, in the first reading, we read of Jonah's story in Nineveh (Jonah 3:1-5, 10). Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire which eventually would conquer the Northern Kingdom, Israel.
Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness has come up before me (Jonah 1:2).
Jonah was a prophet of the Northern Kingdom and naturally, his righteousness made him dislike the Assyrians. When God summoned him to warn off the Assyrians, he was recoiled at the idea and ran away. Then came the story of his spending three days in the belly of a big fish and finally Jonah was transported to Nineveh. However, the Bible is silent on what wickedness the people of Nineveh had done. At the proclamation of Jonah, the people believed in God and repented. This was the key point.
And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them (Jonah 3:5).
Then came a happy ending for the people of Nineveh.
When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God repented of the evil which he had said he would do to them; and he did not do it (Jonah 3:10).
God does not care what we have done. He gives us opportunities to repent and He is eager to make us perfect.
The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here (Matthew 12:41).
In the gospel today, we read of the story of Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God after the Baptist had been arrested.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God,
and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:14-15)
The message is simple and clear. Repent, turn back to God and believe in the invitation to reconcile with God.
Then Jesus called the fishermen to help him invite more people to reconcile with God. He did not call the learned teachers of the Law. Nor did he call the rich first. Don't worry. These people would join him in the future. But for the time being, he extended his invitation to ordinary people, the mass.
And Jesus said to them (Simon and Andrew), "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men." (Mark 1:17)
BECOME. Not possess, nor achieve. Not possess riches and power, nor achieve fame, targets and status. Jesus wants us to become what in eternity he has already in mind about us.
Fr. Martin admits that as a priest, he lacks a lot of things we laity have. But God is fair, we laity lack a lot of things he has. Leading a life of sanctity, he witnesses a lot of miracles worked by God. He sees many wonderful transformations taking place among youngsters when they accept God's grace. Fr. Martin invited us to look around us God's patient and untiring works of sanctification and to cooperate with Jesus.
Dear Lord, guide us along the path of sanctification. Make us a song pleasing to Your ears and to our neighbours'. Amen.
In his homily, Fr. Martin brought our attention to God's purpose for our lives, not our own purposes. God does not want us to slave ourselves, work and work until we return to Him. God wants us to be something. For example, in the first reading, we read of Jonah's story in Nineveh (Jonah 3:1-5, 10). Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire which eventually would conquer the Northern Kingdom, Israel.
Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness has come up before me (Jonah 1:2).
Jonah was a prophet of the Northern Kingdom and naturally, his righteousness made him dislike the Assyrians. When God summoned him to warn off the Assyrians, he was recoiled at the idea and ran away. Then came the story of his spending three days in the belly of a big fish and finally Jonah was transported to Nineveh. However, the Bible is silent on what wickedness the people of Nineveh had done. At the proclamation of Jonah, the people believed in God and repented. This was the key point.
And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them (Jonah 3:5).
Then came a happy ending for the people of Nineveh.
When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God repented of the evil which he had said he would do to them; and he did not do it (Jonah 3:10).
God does not care what we have done. He gives us opportunities to repent and He is eager to make us perfect.
The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here (Matthew 12:41).
In the gospel today, we read of the story of Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God after the Baptist had been arrested.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God,
and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:14-15)
The message is simple and clear. Repent, turn back to God and believe in the invitation to reconcile with God.
Then Jesus called the fishermen to help him invite more people to reconcile with God. He did not call the learned teachers of the Law. Nor did he call the rich first. Don't worry. These people would join him in the future. But for the time being, he extended his invitation to ordinary people, the mass.
And Jesus said to them (Simon and Andrew), "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men." (Mark 1:17)
BECOME. Not possess, nor achieve. Not possess riches and power, nor achieve fame, targets and status. Jesus wants us to become what in eternity he has already in mind about us.
Fr. Martin admits that as a priest, he lacks a lot of things we laity have. But God is fair, we laity lack a lot of things he has. Leading a life of sanctity, he witnesses a lot of miracles worked by God. He sees many wonderful transformations taking place among youngsters when they accept God's grace. Fr. Martin invited us to look around us God's patient and untiring works of sanctification and to cooperate with Jesus.
Dear Lord, guide us along the path of sanctification. Make us a song pleasing to Your ears and to our neighbours'. Amen.
Saturday 24 January 2009
The inner and outer tents
I have to leave Hebrews 9 because I do not quite get passed 9:8-9a.
By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the sanctuary is not yet opened as long as the outer tent is still standing
(which is symbolic for the present age) (Hebrews 9:8-9a).
The outer tent was where the priests offered daily sacrifices . The inner tent, the sanctuary, the Holy of the Holies, was where the High Priest entered, once a year on the Day of Atonement, to offer sacrifices to cleanse the altar and the sins of himself and of the people. Why was it that the Holy of the Holies was not yet opened? The outer tent is symbolic of the present age. What does it mean?
Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622). In reading his life, I was impressed by his patience. He worked patiently.
"... Throughout his life, he waited for God's will to be clear. He never wanted to push his will on God ..."
I think St. Francis is a good model for me. Ragging my brain in search of God's will, I feel like a deaf and blind man. Perhaps I should switch to other sense organs, use my heart to love Him more. Once, he said,
"... those who love God can never stop thinking about him, longing for him, aspiring to him, and speaking about him. If they could, they would engrave the name of Jesus on the hearts of all humankind."
St. Francis de Sales, pray for me. Amen.
Dear Lord, You have entered the Heavenly sanctuary to redeem our sins. How do we repay You for such grace? My heart is still smothered with arrogance, desires and worries. I am not a good farmer. Rectify my heart, I beg You. Amen.
P.S.
The author of Hebrews was telling the readers that the Old Covenant, whose zenith was the Temple cult which was supposed to repair any damaged relation between God and man, was only a faint copy of the real Covenant yet to come. People were yearning for holiness, for maintaining a good relationship with God and to attain holiness. Yet, sacrifices have to be offered daily and yearly. Moreover, the access to holiness was limited to the High Priest and only once a year. That probably was what the author of Hebrews meant when he said the true heavenly sanctuary was not opened as long as the Old Covenant, the old system was still standing. People were preoccupied with too many outward activities which were ineffective. Their conscience failed to gain any peace after all these hustles.
According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper (Hebrews 9:9b)
The fact that this Temple service was carried out daily and yearly suggests that this Old Covenant was ineffective. Not only God, but also man had grown impatient with this temporary arrangement. It must be replaced by a more nearly perfect one. Here comes the opportunity.
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)
he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12).
Jesus is the perfect High Priest. He doesn't need to sacrifice repeatedly. While the earthly high priests needed the blood of bulls and goats for the atonement, Jesus was making use of his own precious blood to secure our redemption. Moreover, he is now sitting at the right hand of God. He has successfully entered the true sanctuary. He has opened the once closed sanctuary for us. Now, we can attain perfection.
The author then gives a very interesting reason why Jesus must die. He took the New Covenant established by Jesus to be a will. He argues that a will will take effect only after the death of the one making the will. So, Jesus must die in order to establish the New Covenant.
For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established.
For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive (Hebrews 9:16-17).
Even the previous Covenant was sealed with blood.
saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you." (Hebrews 9:20, Exodus 24:8)
Then the author imperceptibly introduces another element into Jesus' death. Like the earthly sacrifices, Jesus' blood effects the cleansing of sins.
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22).
Yes, almost everything. Almost! Which means there are situations in which water is enough to purify.
But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself (Hebrews 9:26b).
Appendix:
This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.
τοῦτο τὸ αἷμα τῆς διαθήκης ἧς ἐνετείλατο πρὸς ὑμᾶς ὁ θεός. (Hebrews 9:20)
Behold the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.Ἰδοὺ τὸ αἷμα τῆς διαθήκης, ἧς διέθετο κύριος πρὸς ὑμᾶς περὶ πάντων τῶν λόγων τούτων. (Exodus 24:8b)
By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the sanctuary is not yet opened as long as the outer tent is still standing
(which is symbolic for the present age) (Hebrews 9:8-9a).
The outer tent was where the priests offered daily sacrifices . The inner tent, the sanctuary, the Holy of the Holies, was where the High Priest entered, once a year on the Day of Atonement, to offer sacrifices to cleanse the altar and the sins of himself and of the people. Why was it that the Holy of the Holies was not yet opened? The outer tent is symbolic of the present age. What does it mean?
Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622). In reading his life, I was impressed by his patience. He worked patiently.
"... Throughout his life, he waited for God's will to be clear. He never wanted to push his will on God ..."
I think St. Francis is a good model for me. Ragging my brain in search of God's will, I feel like a deaf and blind man. Perhaps I should switch to other sense organs, use my heart to love Him more. Once, he said,
"... those who love God can never stop thinking about him, longing for him, aspiring to him, and speaking about him. If they could, they would engrave the name of Jesus on the hearts of all humankind."
St. Francis de Sales, pray for me. Amen.
Dear Lord, You have entered the Heavenly sanctuary to redeem our sins. How do we repay You for such grace? My heart is still smothered with arrogance, desires and worries. I am not a good farmer. Rectify my heart, I beg You. Amen.
P.S.
The author of Hebrews was telling the readers that the Old Covenant, whose zenith was the Temple cult which was supposed to repair any damaged relation between God and man, was only a faint copy of the real Covenant yet to come. People were yearning for holiness, for maintaining a good relationship with God and to attain holiness. Yet, sacrifices have to be offered daily and yearly. Moreover, the access to holiness was limited to the High Priest and only once a year. That probably was what the author of Hebrews meant when he said the true heavenly sanctuary was not opened as long as the Old Covenant, the old system was still standing. People were preoccupied with too many outward activities which were ineffective. Their conscience failed to gain any peace after all these hustles.
According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper (Hebrews 9:9b)
The fact that this Temple service was carried out daily and yearly suggests that this Old Covenant was ineffective. Not only God, but also man had grown impatient with this temporary arrangement. It must be replaced by a more nearly perfect one. Here comes the opportunity.
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)
he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12).
Jesus is the perfect High Priest. He doesn't need to sacrifice repeatedly. While the earthly high priests needed the blood of bulls and goats for the atonement, Jesus was making use of his own precious blood to secure our redemption. Moreover, he is now sitting at the right hand of God. He has successfully entered the true sanctuary. He has opened the once closed sanctuary for us. Now, we can attain perfection.
The author then gives a very interesting reason why Jesus must die. He took the New Covenant established by Jesus to be a will. He argues that a will will take effect only after the death of the one making the will. So, Jesus must die in order to establish the New Covenant.
For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established.
For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive (Hebrews 9:16-17).
Even the previous Covenant was sealed with blood.
saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you." (Hebrews 9:20, Exodus 24:8)
Then the author imperceptibly introduces another element into Jesus' death. Like the earthly sacrifices, Jesus' blood effects the cleansing of sins.
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22).
Yes, almost everything. Almost! Which means there are situations in which water is enough to purify.
But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself (Hebrews 9:26b).
Appendix:
This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.
τοῦτο τὸ αἷμα τῆς διαθήκης ἧς ἐνετείλατο πρὸς ὑμᾶς ὁ θεός. (Hebrews 9:20)
Behold the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.Ἰδοὺ τὸ αἷμα τῆς διαθήκης, ἧς διέθετο κύριος πρὸς ὑμᾶς περὶ πάντων τῶν λόγων τούτων. (Exodus 24:8b)
Friday 23 January 2009
The New Covenant in Jeremiah 31
The New Testament, or the New Covenant, first appears in Jeremiah 31. The author of Hebrews quoted extensively from Jeremiah to prove that the previous covenant, the Old Covenant, has been rendered obsolete by the establishment of the New Covenant.
But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry which is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second (Hebrews 8:6-7).
The author found the Archille's heel of the Old Covenant from Jeremiah, the unpopular prophet. He quoted in length Jeremiah 31:31-34 which articulates what the author of Hebrews wanted to say. The house of Israel and the house of Judah (i.e. the Divided Kingdom) did not continue in God's covenant. So, God paid no heed to them and did not hear their prayers, nor accept their offerings. God had abandoned their Temple cult.
The above is the Christian interpretation of Jeremiah 31. What about the Jewish Rabbis? How should they handle these Christian prooftexts, such as Psalm 95, Psalm 110 and Jeremiah 31? I hope someday, someone will enlighten me on how the Jewish Rabbis interpret these texts which Christians have borrowed to support their Christian views and even to attack Judaism. Indeed, they are respectable scholars. Instead of removing the offending chapters, they allow them to stay and work hard on a better interpretation instead.
Looking back into history, Martin Luther had chosen a very damaging tactic. He was heroic in challenging the corruption in the Middle Age Catholic Church and in condemning the sale of indulgence. As a theologian, he wanted to remove its roots as well, i.e. the theology of purgatory, of praying for the dead etc. These ideas can be found in the books of Macabees. What is more, only Greek translations of these books exist. The Hebrew originals were lost. So, Martin Luther proposed to remove Old Testament books that did not have the Hebrew original. Consequently, 7 books were axed from the Old Testament of the Protestant Bible. This was indeed a damaging act. Luther had thrown the baby out with the bath water! These Greek texts are in fact a bridge between the two Testaments. In his enthusiasm to clean the teachings of the Church, Luther had created many missing links for the Protestant tradition.
Thank you Lord for inviting us to join the New Covenant. Write Your law of charity into our hearts so that we can love You and our neighbours more. Amen.
Appendix:
The days will come, says the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;
not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not continue in my covenant, and so I paid no heed to them, says the Lord.
This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And they shall not teach every one his fellow or every one his brother, saying, `Know the Lord, for all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.
ἰδοὺ ἡμέραι ἔρχονται, λέγει κύριος,καὶ συντελέσω ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον Ἰσραὴλ καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον Ἰούδα διαθήκην καινήν,
οὐ κατὰ τὴν διαθήκην, ἣν ἐποίησα τοῖς πατράσιν αὐτῶν ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἐπιλαβομένου μου τῆς χειρὸς αὐτῶν ἐξαγαγεῖν αὐτοὺς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου,ὅτι αὐτοὶ οὐκ ἐνέμειναν ἐν τῇ διαθήκῃ μου, κἀγὼ ἠμέλησα αὐτῶν, λέγει κύριος·
ὅτι αὕτη ἡ διαθήκη, ἣν διαθήσομαι τῷ οἴκῳ Ἰσραὴλ μετὰ τὰς ἡμέρας ἐκείνας, λέγει κύριος· διδοὺς νόμους μου εἰς τὴν διάνοιαν αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ καρδίας αὐτῶν ἐπιγράψω αὐτούς, καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτοῖς εἰς θεόν, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μοι εἰς λαόν·
καὶ οὐ μὴ διδάξωσιν ἕκαστος τὸν πολίτην αὐτοῦ καὶ ἕκαστος τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ λέγων· γνῶθι τὸν κύριον, ὅτι πάντες εἰδήσουσίν με ἀπὸ μικροῦ ἕως μεγάλου αὐτῶν,
ὅτι ἵλεως ἔσομαι ταῖς ἀδικίαις αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν οὐ μὴ μνησθῶ ἔτι.
(Hebrews 8:8b-12)
Ἰδοὺ ἡμέραι ἔρχονται, φησὶν κύριος, καὶ διαθήσομαι τῷ οἴκῳ Ισραηλ καὶ τῷ οἴκῳ Ιουδα διαθήκην καινήν,
οὐ κατὰ τὴν διαθήκην, ἣν διεθέμην τοῖς πατράσιν αὐτῶν ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἐπιλαβομένου μου τῆς χειρὸς αὐτῶν ἐξαγαγεῖν αὐτοὺς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου, ὅτι αὐτοὶ οὐκ ἐνέμειναν ἐν τῇ διαθήκῃ μου, καὶ ἐγὼ ἠμέλησα αὐτῶν, φησὶν κύριος,
ὅτι αὕτη ἡ διαθήκη, ἣν διαθήσομαι τῷ οἴκῳ Ισραηλ μετὰ τὰς ἡμέρας ἐκείνας, φησὶν κύριος Διδοὺς δώσω νόμους μου εἰς τὴν διάνοιαν αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ καρδίας αὐτῶν γράψω αὐτούς, καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτοῖς εἰς θεόν, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μοι εἰς λαόν,
καὶ οὐ μὴ διδάξωσιν ἕκαστος τὸν πολίτην αὐτοῦ καὶ ἕκαστος τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ λέγων Γνῶθι τὸν κύριον, ὅτι πάντες εἰδήσουσίν με ἀπὸ μικροῦ αὐτῶν καὶ ἕως μεγάλου αὐτῶν, ὅτι ἵλεως ἔσομαι ταῖς ἀδικίαις αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν οὐ μὴ μνησθῶ ἔτι. (Jeremiah 38:31-34 LXX, 31:31-34 MT).
But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry which is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second (Hebrews 8:6-7).
The author found the Archille's heel of the Old Covenant from Jeremiah, the unpopular prophet. He quoted in length Jeremiah 31:31-34 which articulates what the author of Hebrews wanted to say. The house of Israel and the house of Judah (i.e. the Divided Kingdom) did not continue in God's covenant. So, God paid no heed to them and did not hear their prayers, nor accept their offerings. God had abandoned their Temple cult.
The above is the Christian interpretation of Jeremiah 31. What about the Jewish Rabbis? How should they handle these Christian prooftexts, such as Psalm 95, Psalm 110 and Jeremiah 31? I hope someday, someone will enlighten me on how the Jewish Rabbis interpret these texts which Christians have borrowed to support their Christian views and even to attack Judaism. Indeed, they are respectable scholars. Instead of removing the offending chapters, they allow them to stay and work hard on a better interpretation instead.
Looking back into history, Martin Luther had chosen a very damaging tactic. He was heroic in challenging the corruption in the Middle Age Catholic Church and in condemning the sale of indulgence. As a theologian, he wanted to remove its roots as well, i.e. the theology of purgatory, of praying for the dead etc. These ideas can be found in the books of Macabees. What is more, only Greek translations of these books exist. The Hebrew originals were lost. So, Martin Luther proposed to remove Old Testament books that did not have the Hebrew original. Consequently, 7 books were axed from the Old Testament of the Protestant Bible. This was indeed a damaging act. Luther had thrown the baby out with the bath water! These Greek texts are in fact a bridge between the two Testaments. In his enthusiasm to clean the teachings of the Church, Luther had created many missing links for the Protestant tradition.
Thank you Lord for inviting us to join the New Covenant. Write Your law of charity into our hearts so that we can love You and our neighbours more. Amen.
Appendix:
The days will come, says the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;
not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not continue in my covenant, and so I paid no heed to them, says the Lord.
This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And they shall not teach every one his fellow or every one his brother, saying, `Know the Lord, for all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.
ἰδοὺ ἡμέραι ἔρχονται, λέγει κύριος,καὶ συντελέσω ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον Ἰσραὴλ καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον Ἰούδα διαθήκην καινήν,
οὐ κατὰ τὴν διαθήκην, ἣν ἐποίησα τοῖς πατράσιν αὐτῶν ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἐπιλαβομένου μου τῆς χειρὸς αὐτῶν ἐξαγαγεῖν αὐτοὺς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου,ὅτι αὐτοὶ οὐκ ἐνέμειναν ἐν τῇ διαθήκῃ μου, κἀγὼ ἠμέλησα αὐτῶν, λέγει κύριος·
ὅτι αὕτη ἡ διαθήκη, ἣν διαθήσομαι τῷ οἴκῳ Ἰσραὴλ μετὰ τὰς ἡμέρας ἐκείνας, λέγει κύριος· διδοὺς νόμους μου εἰς τὴν διάνοιαν αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ καρδίας αὐτῶν ἐπιγράψω αὐτούς, καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτοῖς εἰς θεόν, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μοι εἰς λαόν·
καὶ οὐ μὴ διδάξωσιν ἕκαστος τὸν πολίτην αὐτοῦ καὶ ἕκαστος τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ λέγων· γνῶθι τὸν κύριον, ὅτι πάντες εἰδήσουσίν με ἀπὸ μικροῦ ἕως μεγάλου αὐτῶν,
ὅτι ἵλεως ἔσομαι ταῖς ἀδικίαις αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν οὐ μὴ μνησθῶ ἔτι.
(Hebrews 8:8b-12)
Ἰδοὺ ἡμέραι ἔρχονται, φησὶν κύριος, καὶ διαθήσομαι τῷ οἴκῳ Ισραηλ καὶ τῷ οἴκῳ Ιουδα διαθήκην καινήν,
οὐ κατὰ τὴν διαθήκην, ἣν διεθέμην τοῖς πατράσιν αὐτῶν ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἐπιλαβομένου μου τῆς χειρὸς αὐτῶν ἐξαγαγεῖν αὐτοὺς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου, ὅτι αὐτοὶ οὐκ ἐνέμειναν ἐν τῇ διαθήκῃ μου, καὶ ἐγὼ ἠμέλησα αὐτῶν, φησὶν κύριος,
ὅτι αὕτη ἡ διαθήκη, ἣν διαθήσομαι τῷ οἴκῳ Ισραηλ μετὰ τὰς ἡμέρας ἐκείνας, φησὶν κύριος Διδοὺς δώσω νόμους μου εἰς τὴν διάνοιαν αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ καρδίας αὐτῶν γράψω αὐτούς, καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτοῖς εἰς θεόν, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μοι εἰς λαόν,
καὶ οὐ μὴ διδάξωσιν ἕκαστος τὸν πολίτην αὐτοῦ καὶ ἕκαστος τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ λέγων Γνῶθι τὸν κύριον, ὅτι πάντες εἰδήσουσίν με ἀπὸ μικροῦ αὐτῶν καὶ ἕως μεγάλου αὐτῶν, ὅτι ἵλεως ἔσομαι ταῖς ἀδικίαις αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν οὐ μὴ μνησθῶ ἔτι. (Jeremiah 38:31-34 LXX, 31:31-34 MT).
Thursday 22 January 2009
Jesus, our perfect High Priest
In the New Testament, there are four gospels, four biographies of Jesus: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Each evangelist selects different materials to portray a different aspect of Christ. In general, Mark begins the story with the ministry of John the Baptist and shows that Jesus is the Son of God, full of powerful and actions. Matthew traces the origin of Jesus to Abraham and tries to show that he was a Teacher greater than Moses. He was the long awaited Messiah. Luke rather presents a merciful Saviour for the weak and the sinners. His genealogy of Jesus goes all the way to Adam, the son of God. These three are called Synoptic Gospels because their plots are similar in structure and can be studies side by side. After nearly a quarter of a century, the gospel of John appeared. He traced the origin of Jesus before Creation to show that Jesus is the eternal Word of God. Jesus is Yahweh, our God. Therefore, each evangelist has an agenda in mind when they collect, organize and present the biography of Jesus. What about the author of the epistle to the Hebrews? He was not writing a biography. Instead, he spent a lot of ink to discuss the High Priesthood of Jesus. Why? What was his agenda?
Yesterday, I chose a milder tone to say that "... it was a Christian defence against the frontal attack from the Jews in the first century." Probably, I should have expressed it more strongly. It was an offensive against pre-Rabbinic Judaism. In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke, through the lips of the first Christian martyr Stephen, presented a Christian understanding of the history of the Israelites. Stephen spoke against the Temple cult.
Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen (Acts 7:44).
But it was Solomon who built a house for him.
Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with hands (Acts 7:47-48).
Stephen further spoke of the rebellions of Israelites against Torah.
you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it (Acts 7:53).
Stephen paid his life for what he spoke.
The author of Hebrews focused on priesthood instead of the Temple. In his view, the covenant and the Torah came from the Levitical priesthood (Hebrews 7:11). Moses was a Levite. Through his mediation, the Israelites received the Torah. And the author shows that this priesthood was inferior.
First and foremost, another covenant was established to replace the previous, inferior one.
For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well (Hebrews 7:12).
Secondly, why is the previous covenant inferior? It is because there was no oath.
Those who formerly became priests took their office without an oath, but this one was addressed with an oath, "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,
'Thou art a priest for ever.'"
This makes Jesus the surety of a better covenant (Hebrews 7:21-22).
Thirdly, unlike other high priests, Jesus needs not offer sacrifice for himself. He himself is the sacrifice.
He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself (Hebrews 7:27).
Jesus is the perfect high priest, a minister in heaven.
Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,
a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord (Hebrews 8:1-2).
Fourthly, the Temple was only a copy of the true sanctuary in heaven.
They (the priests) serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary; for when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, "See that you make everything according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain." (Hebrews 8:5)
Christians have a perfect high priest in heaven whereas the Jews have not. They enjoy a more perfect priesthood which abolishes the old.
Dear Jesus, help us always keep this wonderful teaching in mind. We are blessed to be able to share Your heavenly sacrifice, the Holy Eucharist. May it nourish our total love to the Father and to our fellow men. Amen.
Appendix:
See that you make everything according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.
ὅρα γάρ φησιν, ποιήσεις πάντα κατὰ τὸν τύπον τὸν δειχθέντα σοι ἐν τῷ ὄρει· (Hebrews 8:5b)
ὅρα ποιήσεις κατὰ τὸν τύπον τὸν δεδειγμένον σοι ἐν τῷ ὄρει. (Exodus 25:40 LXX).
Yesterday, I chose a milder tone to say that "... it was a Christian defence against the frontal attack from the Jews in the first century." Probably, I should have expressed it more strongly. It was an offensive against pre-Rabbinic Judaism. In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke, through the lips of the first Christian martyr Stephen, presented a Christian understanding of the history of the Israelites. Stephen spoke against the Temple cult.
Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen (Acts 7:44).
But it was Solomon who built a house for him.
Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with hands (Acts 7:47-48).
Stephen further spoke of the rebellions of Israelites against Torah.
you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it (Acts 7:53).
Stephen paid his life for what he spoke.
The author of Hebrews focused on priesthood instead of the Temple. In his view, the covenant and the Torah came from the Levitical priesthood (Hebrews 7:11). Moses was a Levite. Through his mediation, the Israelites received the Torah. And the author shows that this priesthood was inferior.
First and foremost, another covenant was established to replace the previous, inferior one.
For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well (Hebrews 7:12).
Secondly, why is the previous covenant inferior? It is because there was no oath.
Those who formerly became priests took their office without an oath, but this one was addressed with an oath, "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,
'Thou art a priest for ever.'"
This makes Jesus the surety of a better covenant (Hebrews 7:21-22).
Thirdly, unlike other high priests, Jesus needs not offer sacrifice for himself. He himself is the sacrifice.
He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself (Hebrews 7:27).
Jesus is the perfect high priest, a minister in heaven.
Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,
a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord (Hebrews 8:1-2).
Fourthly, the Temple was only a copy of the true sanctuary in heaven.
They (the priests) serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary; for when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, "See that you make everything according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain." (Hebrews 8:5)
Christians have a perfect high priest in heaven whereas the Jews have not. They enjoy a more perfect priesthood which abolishes the old.
Dear Jesus, help us always keep this wonderful teaching in mind. We are blessed to be able to share Your heavenly sacrifice, the Holy Eucharist. May it nourish our total love to the Father and to our fellow men. Amen.
Appendix:
See that you make everything according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.
ὅρα γάρ φησιν, ποιήσεις πάντα κατὰ τὸν τύπον τὸν δειχθέντα σοι ἐν τῷ ὄρει· (Hebrews 8:5b)
ὅρα ποιήσεις κατὰ τὸν τύπον τὸν δεδειγμένον σοι ἐν τῷ ὄρει. (Exodus 25:40 LXX).
Wednesday 21 January 2009
Feast of St. Agnes of Rome
The stories of the martyrdom of St. Agnes highlight her youth (she died at 13), her virginity and the most important of all, her total surrender to Jesus. St. Agnes would marry nobody but Jesus. Superficially the values enshrined in the celebration of the Feast Day of St. Agnes stand in stark contrast with the values of modern feminism. Are they?
As a man, I cannot speak convincingly for feminism. Therefore, I must forewarn my readers that mine may be a misrepresentation of the values espoused by feminists. Generally speaking, feminism is saying no to patriarchism. Oh! No! So many ism's! Well, patriarchism describes the traditional situation where everything was decided by the patriarch, the most powerful male of the group, the head of the family. Women were assigned roles such as wives and mothers. This was one of the many ways to deal with a reality of life. The author of Hebrews mentions this in his discussion of the superiority of the priesthood of Jesus over the Levites. This will be dealt with below.
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office (Hebrews 7:23).
So, patriarchism has been one of the many ways to deal with death. Man is mortal. He needs a woman to help him extend his life, continue his unfinished projects and inherit his hard earned asset.
So the ideal destiny assigned to a woman was to get married and gave birth to male-offsprings for her man. Therefore, a barren wife was a curse. Concubines were remedies. Adultery was to be prevented at all costs etc. Daughters would turn into wives and mothers in the future. They were commodities to be traded off. Therefore, rape was a criminal damage done to a piece of goods ... Sorry for the language. I've got carried away too far.
No doubt, women have been oppressed and exploited for far too long. The Bible tells us that both man and woman were created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). It further tells us that woman is a man version 2 (ver. tWO MAN). While man was created from dust (Genesis 2:7), woman was created out of man, bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh, an improved version (Genesis 2:23). Therefore, patriarchism is evil even from the Biblical point of view.
St. Agnes wanted to claim autonomy over her own body. She did not want to be a commodity to be sold to the highest bidder. She rejected the traditional role of a wife, the spouse of any mortal man and wanted to serve only Jesus, the Lord of the Universe. It was a noble ambition all Christians should aspire. Eventually, she was handed the crown of martyrdom. Indeed, throughout the ages, religious nuns have been leading feminists fighting against the encroaching patriarchism. St. Agnes, pray for us.
Melchizedek, the king of Salem was a mythical figure. In the words of the author of Hebrews,
He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.
He is without father or mother or genealogy, and has neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest for ever (Hebrews 7:2b-3).
His name and title suggest that he is the king of righteousness and the king of peace, an appropriate figure for Christ the King. Melchizedek blessed Abraham. From the logic of the author,
It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior (Hebrews 7:7).
Therefore, Melchizedek was superior over Abraham and his descendents. His priesthood is superior over that of the Levites, descendents of Abraham. Now, the author proceeds to show the inadequacy of the Levitical priesthood.
Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? (Hebrews 7:11)
This certainly is a lethal blow on the Temple cult of Judaism. Not only have Christians displaced the Israelites in God's rest, Christian priesthood has also replaced Levitical priesthood at the altar of God. Levitical priesthood and its Torah was incapable of helping the Israelites attain perfection. Christian law of charity triumphs over the formalism of the Torah. This was a Christian defence against the frontal attack from the Jews in the first century. We are now living in the twenty first century. Christians, how far have we attained this perfection?
Dear Jesus, You are the King of Righteousness and the King of Peace. Allow us to continue building up Your Kingdom on earth with charity. Amen.
Appendix:
The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, `Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek
ὤμοσεν κύριος καὶ οὐ μεταμεληθήσεται· σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ. (Hebrews 5:6b, 7:17c, 21b)
ὤμοσεν κύριος καὶ οὐ μεταμεληθήσεται Σὺ εἶ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδεκ. (Psalm 109:4 LXX, 110:4 MT).
As a man, I cannot speak convincingly for feminism. Therefore, I must forewarn my readers that mine may be a misrepresentation of the values espoused by feminists. Generally speaking, feminism is saying no to patriarchism. Oh! No! So many ism's! Well, patriarchism describes the traditional situation where everything was decided by the patriarch, the most powerful male of the group, the head of the family. Women were assigned roles such as wives and mothers. This was one of the many ways to deal with a reality of life. The author of Hebrews mentions this in his discussion of the superiority of the priesthood of Jesus over the Levites. This will be dealt with below.
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office (Hebrews 7:23).
So, patriarchism has been one of the many ways to deal with death. Man is mortal. He needs a woman to help him extend his life, continue his unfinished projects and inherit his hard earned asset.
So the ideal destiny assigned to a woman was to get married and gave birth to male-offsprings for her man. Therefore, a barren wife was a curse. Concubines were remedies. Adultery was to be prevented at all costs etc. Daughters would turn into wives and mothers in the future. They were commodities to be traded off. Therefore, rape was a criminal damage done to a piece of goods ... Sorry for the language. I've got carried away too far.
No doubt, women have been oppressed and exploited for far too long. The Bible tells us that both man and woman were created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). It further tells us that woman is a man version 2 (ver. tWO MAN). While man was created from dust (Genesis 2:7), woman was created out of man, bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh, an improved version (Genesis 2:23). Therefore, patriarchism is evil even from the Biblical point of view.
St. Agnes wanted to claim autonomy over her own body. She did not want to be a commodity to be sold to the highest bidder. She rejected the traditional role of a wife, the spouse of any mortal man and wanted to serve only Jesus, the Lord of the Universe. It was a noble ambition all Christians should aspire. Eventually, she was handed the crown of martyrdom. Indeed, throughout the ages, religious nuns have been leading feminists fighting against the encroaching patriarchism. St. Agnes, pray for us.
Melchizedek, the king of Salem was a mythical figure. In the words of the author of Hebrews,
He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.
He is without father or mother or genealogy, and has neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest for ever (Hebrews 7:2b-3).
His name and title suggest that he is the king of righteousness and the king of peace, an appropriate figure for Christ the King. Melchizedek blessed Abraham. From the logic of the author,
It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior (Hebrews 7:7).
Therefore, Melchizedek was superior over Abraham and his descendents. His priesthood is superior over that of the Levites, descendents of Abraham. Now, the author proceeds to show the inadequacy of the Levitical priesthood.
Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? (Hebrews 7:11)
This certainly is a lethal blow on the Temple cult of Judaism. Not only have Christians displaced the Israelites in God's rest, Christian priesthood has also replaced Levitical priesthood at the altar of God. Levitical priesthood and its Torah was incapable of helping the Israelites attain perfection. Christian law of charity triumphs over the formalism of the Torah. This was a Christian defence against the frontal attack from the Jews in the first century. We are now living in the twenty first century. Christians, how far have we attained this perfection?
Dear Jesus, You are the King of Righteousness and the King of Peace. Allow us to continue building up Your Kingdom on earth with charity. Amen.
Appendix:
The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, `Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek
ὤμοσεν κύριος καὶ οὐ μεταμεληθήσεται· σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ. (Hebrews 5:6b, 7:17c, 21b)
ὤμοσεν κύριος καὶ οὐ μεταμεληθήσεται Σὺ εἶ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδεκ. (Psalm 109:4 LXX, 110:4 MT).
Tuesday 20 January 2009
To be mature Christians
Usually, the epistles in the New Testament were written to tackle some specific issues. For example, the first epistle to the Corinthians deals with a host of problems: division, resurrection, sexual immorality and married life etc. So what issues was the epistle to the Hebrews dealing with? It seems to be dealing with the question of Jesus' status in relation to angels.
Though a man, Jesus is superior to angels. The author of Hebrews was trying to defend challenges of the status of Jesus. Such challenges came from competing religious movements in the first century. Probably at that time, worship of angels was still popular. Angels had long been protectors of countries (Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1; Jeremiah 30:7 etc. Thank you Mr. John Fok, for his generosity to allow me to quote from his webpage). In Revelation, angels were even guardians of churches (Revelation 1:20-3:22).
OK, Jesus would work miracles. Even that was not powerful enough to qualify Jesus a local deity. At most, Jesus was only a faith healer, not to mention that he was a crucified criminal. For Christians who hold on to their faith in Jesus, it is important to show that Jesus is not just any son of God (a term referring to angels), but the Son of God. For Christians, Jesus was no mere faith healers. Yes, he was crucified in public, but he was not a criminal. Furthermore, God raised him from the dead and made him sitting on His right in heavens. Jesus was made perfect through his suffering (Hebrews 2:10, 5:9). Moreover, Christians were happy to have found a prooftext in Psalm to show that Jesus was begotten from God, not made by God (Hebrews 5:5; Psalm 2:7). After all, angels are just creatures made by God. They are not born from God.
The author of Hebrews also dealt with the status of Christians in relation to the Israelites. He proved again from Psalm that the Israelites had provoked the wrath of God. They had forfeited their inheritance right. Christians should work hard to replace them and enter into this God's rest which the Israelites had been banned because of their disobedience and lack of faith (Hebrews 3:16-19, 4:11). So far, so good.
Turning now to his readers, the author found that their faith was too rudimentary. They ought to be teachers, teaching the world the road to salvation. However, they were badly in need of the author to teach them again the first principles of God's word, probably because some of them had turned away from Jesus.
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need some one to teach you again the first principles of God's word. You need milk, not solid food;
for every one who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a child.
But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their faculties trained by practice to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:12-14).
The word of God is the word of righteousness. His readers were children that lived on milk. They needed to become mature Christians capable of distinguishing good from evil. So, the first principle of God's word is to distinguish good from evil. Mature Christians are those who can do so.
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
with instruction about ablutions, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment (Hebrews 6:1-2).
So, repentance, faith, liturgy, resurrection and last judgment are elementary doctrines of Christ. The author of Hebrews advised us to proceed towards maturity.
What qualities do mature Christians have? What happened to those who gave up their faith and turned away? From a negative point of view, the author of Hebrews shows us what mature Christians had attained.
For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,
and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come (Hebrews 6:4-5).
Christians have been enlightened with the truth, have tasted the heavenly gift, partaken of the Holy Spirit, tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come. Christians, do you still possess all these? Have our daily chores eroded these precious promises and gifts of God?
In real world, there are Christians who have tasted these precious gifts and yet publicly turned away. The author of Hebrews found it impossible for them to repent. For those who remain, some genuinely abide in Jesus and some simply want to take advantage of the Church. Don't lose heart. The author of Hebrews was very understanding.
For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.
And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end,
so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:10-12).
The author's words are very encouraging. Persevere till the end and we will inherit the promises. Sooner or later, some will fall away.
Dear Lord, grant us the ability to discern good from evil. Strengthen us to put Your word into practice and stand firm in face of challenges. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Though a man, Jesus is superior to angels. The author of Hebrews was trying to defend challenges of the status of Jesus. Such challenges came from competing religious movements in the first century. Probably at that time, worship of angels was still popular. Angels had long been protectors of countries (Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1; Jeremiah 30:7 etc. Thank you Mr. John Fok, for his generosity to allow me to quote from his webpage). In Revelation, angels were even guardians of churches (Revelation 1:20-3:22).
OK, Jesus would work miracles. Even that was not powerful enough to qualify Jesus a local deity. At most, Jesus was only a faith healer, not to mention that he was a crucified criminal. For Christians who hold on to their faith in Jesus, it is important to show that Jesus is not just any son of God (a term referring to angels), but the Son of God. For Christians, Jesus was no mere faith healers. Yes, he was crucified in public, but he was not a criminal. Furthermore, God raised him from the dead and made him sitting on His right in heavens. Jesus was made perfect through his suffering (Hebrews 2:10, 5:9). Moreover, Christians were happy to have found a prooftext in Psalm to show that Jesus was begotten from God, not made by God (Hebrews 5:5; Psalm 2:7). After all, angels are just creatures made by God. They are not born from God.
The author of Hebrews also dealt with the status of Christians in relation to the Israelites. He proved again from Psalm that the Israelites had provoked the wrath of God. They had forfeited their inheritance right. Christians should work hard to replace them and enter into this God's rest which the Israelites had been banned because of their disobedience and lack of faith (Hebrews 3:16-19, 4:11). So far, so good.
Turning now to his readers, the author found that their faith was too rudimentary. They ought to be teachers, teaching the world the road to salvation. However, they were badly in need of the author to teach them again the first principles of God's word, probably because some of them had turned away from Jesus.
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need some one to teach you again the first principles of God's word. You need milk, not solid food;
for every one who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a child.
But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their faculties trained by practice to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:12-14).
The word of God is the word of righteousness. His readers were children that lived on milk. They needed to become mature Christians capable of distinguishing good from evil. So, the first principle of God's word is to distinguish good from evil. Mature Christians are those who can do so.
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
with instruction about ablutions, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment (Hebrews 6:1-2).
So, repentance, faith, liturgy, resurrection and last judgment are elementary doctrines of Christ. The author of Hebrews advised us to proceed towards maturity.
What qualities do mature Christians have? What happened to those who gave up their faith and turned away? From a negative point of view, the author of Hebrews shows us what mature Christians had attained.
For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,
and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come (Hebrews 6:4-5).
Christians have been enlightened with the truth, have tasted the heavenly gift, partaken of the Holy Spirit, tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come. Christians, do you still possess all these? Have our daily chores eroded these precious promises and gifts of God?
In real world, there are Christians who have tasted these precious gifts and yet publicly turned away. The author of Hebrews found it impossible for them to repent. For those who remain, some genuinely abide in Jesus and some simply want to take advantage of the Church. Don't lose heart. The author of Hebrews was very understanding.
For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.
And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end,
so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:10-12).
The author's words are very encouraging. Persevere till the end and we will inherit the promises. Sooner or later, some will fall away.
Dear Lord, grant us the ability to discern good from evil. Strengthen us to put Your word into practice and stand firm in face of challenges. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Monday 19 January 2009
Jesus, our High Priest
The author of the Hebrews expounds his theory of the High Priesthood of Jesus in chapter 5. First of all, he defined a high priest as someone
1) chosen from among men
2) appointed by God (explained later in Hebrews 5:4)
3) who acts on behalf of men in relation to God
4) to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins (Hebrews 5:1)
First of all, Jesus must be truly a man. The humanity of Jesus has never been an issue throughout the history of Christian theology. Even his divinity is NOT an issue. Rather, how the two manage to come together without destroying his humanity has generated a lot of controversies and heresies.
Since a high priest is chosen from among the people, he should be sympathetic with the weaknesses of his brethren> It is because he himself is also beset with weakness.
He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness (Hebrews 5:2).
Notice that this does not apply to Jesus because Jesus has no sins.
For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
Yet, his superiority over us does not induce him to pride and arrogance. Instead, Jesus is meek and merciful towards sinners.
According to the author of the epistle to the Philippians, Jesus did not grasp / insist on his equality with God to appoint himself a High Priest. He humbled and emptied himself to become man (Philippians 2:6-7).
Similarly, the author of Hebrews explains that Jesus did not exalt himself.
So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him (Hebrews 5:5)
From among men, Jesus was appointed by God to become a High Priest.
Unlike kings who act on behalf of God and prophets who speak on behalf of God, the major function of a High Priest is to act on behalf of men in relation to God. Jesus accomplished these three roles perfectly in his earthly ministry. We Christians partake in these three roles of his when we are baptized.
How did Jesus perform his priestly role on earth? According to the author of Hebrews,
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear (Hebrews 5:7).
Representing all mankind, Jesus prayed with loud cries and tears, tears for those too stubborn to shed a drop of tear. In the end, Jesus himself became the sacrifice to be offered up, to take away the sins of the world.
So far so good, but the author of Hebrews made things complicated with the following statement.
Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered (Hebrews 5:8).
Why did Jesus need to learn, in particular, to learn obedience? Is it because of his human nature? Is it a necessary procedure to raise the human nature to a higher level? The author left it unexplained.
and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him (Hebrews 5:9).
The Son of God was made perfect through his sufferings. The author of Hebrews previously gave another explanation: as a pioneer of our salvation, as our life model, Jesus must suffer (Hebrews 2:10). Now, the author develops this suffer theme: Jesus must suffer to become the source of eternal salvation for us (Hebrews 5:9). Now we know two reasons why Jesus must suffer.
Dear Lord, Most Excellent High Priest, I pray for our Pope and Cardinals. Protect them from evil assaults. Through them, may Your grace be channelled. Amen.
Appendix:
Thou art my Son, today I have begotten theeυἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε· (Hebrews 5:5b, Psalm 2:7b)
Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek.
σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ, (Hebrews 5:6b)
Σὺ εἶ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδεκ. (Psalm 109:4b LXX, Psalm 110:4b MT)
1) chosen from among men
2) appointed by God (explained later in Hebrews 5:4)
3) who acts on behalf of men in relation to God
4) to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins (Hebrews 5:1)
First of all, Jesus must be truly a man. The humanity of Jesus has never been an issue throughout the history of Christian theology. Even his divinity is NOT an issue. Rather, how the two manage to come together without destroying his humanity has generated a lot of controversies and heresies.
Since a high priest is chosen from among the people, he should be sympathetic with the weaknesses of his brethren> It is because he himself is also beset with weakness.
He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness (Hebrews 5:2).
Notice that this does not apply to Jesus because Jesus has no sins.
For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
Yet, his superiority over us does not induce him to pride and arrogance. Instead, Jesus is meek and merciful towards sinners.
According to the author of the epistle to the Philippians, Jesus did not grasp / insist on his equality with God to appoint himself a High Priest. He humbled and emptied himself to become man (Philippians 2:6-7).
Similarly, the author of Hebrews explains that Jesus did not exalt himself.
So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him (Hebrews 5:5)
From among men, Jesus was appointed by God to become a High Priest.
Unlike kings who act on behalf of God and prophets who speak on behalf of God, the major function of a High Priest is to act on behalf of men in relation to God. Jesus accomplished these three roles perfectly in his earthly ministry. We Christians partake in these three roles of his when we are baptized.
How did Jesus perform his priestly role on earth? According to the author of Hebrews,
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear (Hebrews 5:7).
Representing all mankind, Jesus prayed with loud cries and tears, tears for those too stubborn to shed a drop of tear. In the end, Jesus himself became the sacrifice to be offered up, to take away the sins of the world.
So far so good, but the author of Hebrews made things complicated with the following statement.
Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered (Hebrews 5:8).
Why did Jesus need to learn, in particular, to learn obedience? Is it because of his human nature? Is it a necessary procedure to raise the human nature to a higher level? The author left it unexplained.
and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him (Hebrews 5:9).
The Son of God was made perfect through his sufferings. The author of Hebrews previously gave another explanation: as a pioneer of our salvation, as our life model, Jesus must suffer (Hebrews 2:10). Now, the author develops this suffer theme: Jesus must suffer to become the source of eternal salvation for us (Hebrews 5:9). Now we know two reasons why Jesus must suffer.
Dear Lord, Most Excellent High Priest, I pray for our Pope and Cardinals. Protect them from evil assaults. Through them, may Your grace be channelled. Amen.
Appendix:
Thou art my Son, today I have begotten theeυἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε· (Hebrews 5:5b, Psalm 2:7b)
Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek.
σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ, (Hebrews 5:6b)
Σὺ εἶ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδεκ. (Psalm 109:4b LXX, Psalm 110:4b MT)
Sunday 18 January 2009
Second Ordinary Sunday (Year B)
Usually, the choir shares the Bible teachings together before rehearsal. Since this is the Pauline Year. We read his epistles, beginning with the shortest and are finishing the second epistle to Timothy. George, our organist, is a Year Two law student. These days, the law students have been debating the amendments to the Domestic Violence Ordinance. The government is tabling amendments which extend the applicability of the law to violence towards the elderly, the children, the domestic helpers as well as same-sex cohabitations. Christians stood up to object the inclusion of same-sex cohabitation. Our outspoken Cardinal also spoke up. The Catholic Church welcomes the amendments because man is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). Violence directed towards fellow human is evil. However, the Church is worried about the effect of including same-sex cohabitation in the amendments. It may further blur the concept of family and marriage. Therefore, the Catholic Church does not want to see words like "family" and "marriage" appear in the related text.
During their debate, some Christian fundamentalist positions against homosexuals naturally drew fire from the non-believers. After all, Christians do not appear to be as peaceful as they claim to be. Their intolerance of non-conformity is even worse than the totalitarian regimes. Some non-believers began to challenge the Christian story of Creation. Why did God create these sinners in the first place for you Christians to hate? I was a bit upset that George was not able to answer these challenges satisfactorily. Academically, these Catholic/Christian law students are very promising. However, their knowledge of the Bible leaves a lot to be desired.
In the gospel reading today, we heard another version of call of first disciples of Jesus. Actually, Jesus did not call them! Hearing the Baptist's testimony, Andrew and another disciple of the Baptist followed Jesus.
The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples;
and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!"
The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus (John 1:35-37).
This version is different from the Synoptic version in which these fishermen gave up all their possession to follow Jesus when he called them. The role of the Baptist is downplayed. In this Johannine version, the role of the Baptist is restored. Indeed, the Bible contains many conflicting passages. It throws light on the complexity of issues of life and when we read the Bible, we should not build up only a one-dimensional understanding of these issues. Wine cheers up the spirit, but it also intoxicates.
Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" (John 1:38)
Like the disciples who followed Jesus, we seek. Probably we don't know clearly what we are seeking. A comfortable life? A purposeful and meaningful life? An eternal life? Life is complex and it takes a whole life to sort out this complexity.
Where are you staying? We have come to Jesus to find out what we seek. We need to stay with Jesus to sort out the complexity and destiny of our life. The disciples stayed with Jesus.
He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour (John 1:39).
Jesus invited them to explore. They saw where Jesus was staying. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon, two more hours to go before the end of the day. Time was running out. They decided to stay with Jesus.
Andrew made use of the remaining time to tell his brother Simon that they had found Christ. He brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus changed Simon's life (John 1:40-42).
We too have spent nearly eleven twelfths of our life doing our own things. It is time we decided to stay with Jesus to bring others to Jesus.
Dear Lord, allow us to stay with You. Our destiny should be much more than our existence on this planet. Make us Your instrument of peace and draw more souls to where You stay. Amen.
During their debate, some Christian fundamentalist positions against homosexuals naturally drew fire from the non-believers. After all, Christians do not appear to be as peaceful as they claim to be. Their intolerance of non-conformity is even worse than the totalitarian regimes. Some non-believers began to challenge the Christian story of Creation. Why did God create these sinners in the first place for you Christians to hate? I was a bit upset that George was not able to answer these challenges satisfactorily. Academically, these Catholic/Christian law students are very promising. However, their knowledge of the Bible leaves a lot to be desired.
In the gospel reading today, we heard another version of call of first disciples of Jesus. Actually, Jesus did not call them! Hearing the Baptist's testimony, Andrew and another disciple of the Baptist followed Jesus.
The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples;
and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!"
The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus (John 1:35-37).
This version is different from the Synoptic version in which these fishermen gave up all their possession to follow Jesus when he called them. The role of the Baptist is downplayed. In this Johannine version, the role of the Baptist is restored. Indeed, the Bible contains many conflicting passages. It throws light on the complexity of issues of life and when we read the Bible, we should not build up only a one-dimensional understanding of these issues. Wine cheers up the spirit, but it also intoxicates.
Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" (John 1:38)
Like the disciples who followed Jesus, we seek. Probably we don't know clearly what we are seeking. A comfortable life? A purposeful and meaningful life? An eternal life? Life is complex and it takes a whole life to sort out this complexity.
Where are you staying? We have come to Jesus to find out what we seek. We need to stay with Jesus to sort out the complexity and destiny of our life. The disciples stayed with Jesus.
He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour (John 1:39).
Jesus invited them to explore. They saw where Jesus was staying. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon, two more hours to go before the end of the day. Time was running out. They decided to stay with Jesus.
Andrew made use of the remaining time to tell his brother Simon that they had found Christ. He brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus changed Simon's life (John 1:40-42).
We too have spent nearly eleven twelfths of our life doing our own things. It is time we decided to stay with Jesus to bring others to Jesus.
Dear Lord, allow us to stay with You. Our destiny should be much more than our existence on this planet. Make us Your instrument of peace and draw more souls to where You stay. Amen.
Saturday 17 January 2009
Feast of St. Anthony the Abbot
St Anthony (270-356) is called the father of monasticism, both eastern and western. According to tradition, he gave up all his possession and led a life of subsistence level. At first, he lived outside the villages, leading a life of prayers and fasting. Later, he moved deeper into the wilderness and even desert in Egypt. Many people followed his example, ran away from urban life. Some probably escaped from persecutions. But many other were genuinely seeking God. These monks lived independently in huts or caves but came together to worship or listen to St. Anthony who did not just talk about the teachings of the gospel, but to become one living the gospel teachings.
You and I may not be good at preaching. But at least we can hear. So, what reactions do we have in hearing the Word of God? Are our hearts hardened (Exodus 7:13)? Do we allow Satan to take the word away from our heart (Luke 8:12)? Do we question God's word in our hearts (Mark 2:6) or ponder them in our hearts (Luke 2:19)? Hearing explanations, do our hearts burn within us (Luke 24:37)? Are we cut to our hearts (Acts 2:37)?
I am sure there are many other reactions other than those mentioned above. Each one of us reacted uniquely to the Word of God.
The author of Hebrews has a different vision of the Word of God.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
Have we ever reacted in the way described by the author of Hebrews? For him, the Word of God does not just touch our hearts, but also our bones and marrow as well. This must be a very tremendous and demanding impression. Simeon told Mary that a sword would pierce her soul (Luke 2:35). Perhaps this sword does not only refer to the suffering Mary experienced in the Passion of Jesus. It might also refer to the Word of God which, according to the author of Hebrews, is a two-edged sword that pierces the soul and the spirit, the joints and marrows as well. The Word of God is powerful. But do we allow the Word of God declares its power over us? Are we prepared to live up to the teachings of the gospels like St. Anthony? May God help us to do so.
According to the author of Hebrews, Jesus is the high priest who understands our needs. He is sympathetic. The incarnated Word of God understands our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). Therefore, our task is to hold fast our faith and pride in our hope (Hebrews 3:6). What does it mean? What is our hope? Jesus Christ, our Lord is our hope.
Dear Lord, You are our hope. Carry us through. Amen.
You and I may not be good at preaching. But at least we can hear. So, what reactions do we have in hearing the Word of God? Are our hearts hardened (Exodus 7:13)? Do we allow Satan to take the word away from our heart (Luke 8:12)? Do we question God's word in our hearts (Mark 2:6) or ponder them in our hearts (Luke 2:19)? Hearing explanations, do our hearts burn within us (Luke 24:37)? Are we cut to our hearts (Acts 2:37)?
I am sure there are many other reactions other than those mentioned above. Each one of us reacted uniquely to the Word of God.
The author of Hebrews has a different vision of the Word of God.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
Have we ever reacted in the way described by the author of Hebrews? For him, the Word of God does not just touch our hearts, but also our bones and marrow as well. This must be a very tremendous and demanding impression. Simeon told Mary that a sword would pierce her soul (Luke 2:35). Perhaps this sword does not only refer to the suffering Mary experienced in the Passion of Jesus. It might also refer to the Word of God which, according to the author of Hebrews, is a two-edged sword that pierces the soul and the spirit, the joints and marrows as well. The Word of God is powerful. But do we allow the Word of God declares its power over us? Are we prepared to live up to the teachings of the gospels like St. Anthony? May God help us to do so.
According to the author of Hebrews, Jesus is the high priest who understands our needs. He is sympathetic. The incarnated Word of God understands our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). Therefore, our task is to hold fast our faith and pride in our hope (Hebrews 3:6). What does it mean? What is our hope? Jesus Christ, our Lord is our hope.
Dear Lord, You are our hope. Carry us through. Amen.
Friday 16 January 2009
Two types of spirituality
In the Catholic Church, there are two major directions of spirituality. Probably, these two approaches are shared by other Christian traditions as well. On one hand, there is an active approach. This is exemplified by Martha. She worked busily to serve the Lord. The other approach is a relatively passive one. This is exemplified by Mary, the sister of Martha. The story is found in the gospel of Luke 10:38-42. Jesus praised Mary. Therefore, the Catholic Church also favours the passive, contemplative approach.
Roughly speaking, the aim of spirituality is to cultivate a close relationship with God. The active approach takes spirituality in our own hand. We do a lot of spiritual activities such as saying prayers, attending masses, going to retreat, taking part in Spiritual Exercises etc. in order to enhance our spirituality, our relationship with God. Following the teaching of Matthew 25:40, we also perform charity works to serve Jesus. This is the Catholic tradition of corporal and spiritual works of mercy. There are 7 corporal and 7 spiritual works of mercy. They are:
Corporal works of mercy:
Probably, this is what the authors of Psalm 95 and Hebrews mean by "God's rest". The author of Hebrews understands God's rest from Genesis. After six days of Creation, God rested on the seventh day from all His work (Hebrews 4:4b, Genesis 2:2). Making use of Psalm 95:11, he shows that the Israelites have failed to enter God's rest because of their lack of faith and disobedience.
For good news came to us just as to them; but the message which they heard did not benefit them, because it did not meet with faith in the hearers.
For we who have believed enter that rest (Hebrews 4:2-3a).
The author of Hebrews reassured Christians that they were able to enter God's rest because they believed and held fast to this belief in Jesus. Why did he believe that Christians had this opportunity to enter God's rest? He based his argument on Psalm 95:7b. He pointed out that the promise of God's rest was still open to us (Hebrews 4:7-9).
It is interesting to notice that when the author of Hebrews quoted Psalm 95:7b-11 in chapter 3, the quotation occupies the same verse numbers! Here in chapter 4, when he quoted Psalm 95:7b again, it is in Hebrews 4:7b! Remember, at the time he wrote this epistle, the verse numbering system had not yet invented! His hand must have been guided by God.
Dear Lord, may we treasure this opportunity You open up for us to enter Your rest. Let us hold fast our hope and faith in You and do not disobey You. Amen.
Appendix:
And God rested on the seventh day from all his works
καὶ κατέπαυσεν ὁ θεὸς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ (Hebrews 4:4b)
καὶ κατέπαυσεν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ. (Genesis 2:2).
Roughly speaking, the aim of spirituality is to cultivate a close relationship with God. The active approach takes spirituality in our own hand. We do a lot of spiritual activities such as saying prayers, attending masses, going to retreat, taking part in Spiritual Exercises etc. in order to enhance our spirituality, our relationship with God. Following the teaching of Matthew 25:40, we also perform charity works to serve Jesus. This is the Catholic tradition of corporal and spiritual works of mercy. There are 7 corporal and 7 spiritual works of mercy. They are:
Corporal works of mercy:
- to feed the hungry
- to give drinks to the thirsty
- to clothe the naked
- to harbour the harbourless
- to visit the sick
- to ransom the captive and
- to bury the dead.
- to instruct the ignorant
- to counsel the doubtful
- to admonish sinners
- to bear wrongs patiently
- to forgive offences willingly
- to comfort the afflicted and
- to pray for the living and the dead.
Probably, this is what the authors of Psalm 95 and Hebrews mean by "God's rest". The author of Hebrews understands God's rest from Genesis. After six days of Creation, God rested on the seventh day from all His work (Hebrews 4:4b, Genesis 2:2). Making use of Psalm 95:11, he shows that the Israelites have failed to enter God's rest because of their lack of faith and disobedience.
For good news came to us just as to them; but the message which they heard did not benefit them, because it did not meet with faith in the hearers.
For we who have believed enter that rest (Hebrews 4:2-3a).
The author of Hebrews reassured Christians that they were able to enter God's rest because they believed and held fast to this belief in Jesus. Why did he believe that Christians had this opportunity to enter God's rest? He based his argument on Psalm 95:7b. He pointed out that the promise of God's rest was still open to us (Hebrews 4:7-9).
It is interesting to notice that when the author of Hebrews quoted Psalm 95:7b-11 in chapter 3, the quotation occupies the same verse numbers! Here in chapter 4, when he quoted Psalm 95:7b again, it is in Hebrews 4:7b! Remember, at the time he wrote this epistle, the verse numbering system had not yet invented! His hand must have been guided by God.
Dear Lord, may we treasure this opportunity You open up for us to enter Your rest. Let us hold fast our hope and faith in You and do not disobey You. Amen.
Appendix:
And God rested on the seventh day from all his works
καὶ κατέπαυσεν ὁ θεὸς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ (Hebrews 4:4b)
καὶ κατέπαυσεν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ. (Genesis 2:2).
Thursday 15 January 2009
Benefit from others' mistakes
In the New Testament, Moses appears most frequently in the work of Luke [Luke(10) + Acts(19)=29 times]. He also appears 12 times in John and 11 times in Hebrews. Therefore, it makes sense to follow John Baptist's suit to write about "Moses' position in the Kingdom of God". But unlike John the Baptist, Moses was not mentioned directly in relation to the Kingdom in the gospels. Together with Elijah, he appeared in Transfiguration. Otherwise, his name mostly appears in relation to the laws he handed down for Judaism. I wonder if it is the consequence of a basic contradiction and even hostility between Judaism and Christianity.
The gospel of John had a very good summary of relation between Judaism and Christianity.
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17).
Judaism is mostly concerned with the observance of the laws handed down by Moses: Sabbath, circumcision and the 10 Commandments etc. Torah is the only thing that came down from heaven. Torah is full of wisdom and is a heavenly sent guidance and instruction manual for the Jews to conduct their life. God is elusive. But the Torah is concrete and practical.
Christianity is more concerned with grace. Christians do not totally reject or overthrow the laws of Moses. They understand that keeping the laws is a necessary but not a sufficient condition to attain eternal life. God is not a dispenser or a vending machine. We cannot perform a series of actions and expect God, out of necessity, to grant us rewards. They understand that we cannot force the hands of God to satisfy our wants. Therefore, they introduce a better concept: grace. On top of observing the 10 commandments, Christians understand that they rely on God's grace to attain eternal life and this grace comes from their faith in Jesus Christ. John summarizes it well.
The author of Hebrews was probably the only New Testament author to define Moses' position in the Kingdom.
Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later,
but Christ was faithful over God's house as a son (Hebrews 3:5-6a).
Moses is only a servant in God's house but Jesus is the son. Moses is inferior to Jesus. Therefore Christianity is superior to Judaism. Why? It is because Moses' mission is, to a certain extent, a failure. The author of Hebrews quoted Psalm 95 to prove his case. The author reflected on the rebellions of Israelites in the wilderness.
Who were they that heard and yet were rebellious? Was it not all those who left Egypt under the leadership of Moses?
And with whom was he provoked forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?
And to whom did he swear that they should never enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient?
So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:16-19).
In one breath, the author of Hebrews advised Christians to benefit from the mistakes of the rebellious Israelites. Believe and place our hope in Jesus. Obey Jesus. Provoke Jesus not. Be not rebellious. Otherwise, Christians will not be able to enter God's rest!
And we are his house if we hold fast our confidence and pride in our hope (Hebrews 3:6b).
Dear Jesus, You are our hope and our pride. May we hold fast on You to enter God's rest. I place the implementation of NSS E&RS in Your hand. Help us realize it in Shung Tak. Amen.
Appendix:
Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, 'They always go astray in their hearts; they have not known my ways. As I swore in my wrath, They shall never enter my rest'.σήμερον ἐὰν τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ ἀκούσητε,
μὴ σκληρύνητε τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν ὡς ἐν τῷ παραπικρασμῷκατὰ τὴν ἡμέραν τοῦ πειρασμοῦ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ,
οὗ ἐπείρασαν οἱ πατέρες ὑμῶν ἐν δοκιμασίᾳ καὶ εἶδον τὰ ἔργα μου
τεσσεράκοντα ἔτη· διὸ προσώχθισα τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ καὶ εἶπον· ἀεὶ πλανῶνται τῇ καρδίᾳ, αὐτοὶ δὲ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν τὰς ὁδούς μου,
ὡς ὤμοσα ἐν τῇ ὀργῇ μου· εἰ εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσίν μου. (Hebrews 3:7b-11)
σήμερον, ἐὰν τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ ἀκούσητε,
μὴ σκληρύνητε τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν ὡς ἐν τῷ παραπικρασμῷ κατὰ τὴν ἡμέραν τοῦ πειρασμοῦ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ,
οὗ ἐπείρασαν οἱ πατέρες ὑμῶν, ἐδοκίμασαν καὶ εἴδοσαν τὰ ἔργα μου.
τεσσαράκοντα ἔτη προσώχθισα τῇ γενεᾷ ἐκείνῃ καὶ εἶπα Ἀεὶ πλανῶνται τῇ καρδίᾳ καὶ αὐτοὶ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν τὰς ὁδούς μου,
ὡς ὤμοσα ἐν τῇ ὀργῇ μου Εἰ εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσίν μου. (Psalm 94:7b-11,LXX, 95:7b-11 MT)
The gospel of John had a very good summary of relation between Judaism and Christianity.
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17).
Judaism is mostly concerned with the observance of the laws handed down by Moses: Sabbath, circumcision and the 10 Commandments etc. Torah is the only thing that came down from heaven. Torah is full of wisdom and is a heavenly sent guidance and instruction manual for the Jews to conduct their life. God is elusive. But the Torah is concrete and practical.
Christianity is more concerned with grace. Christians do not totally reject or overthrow the laws of Moses. They understand that keeping the laws is a necessary but not a sufficient condition to attain eternal life. God is not a dispenser or a vending machine. We cannot perform a series of actions and expect God, out of necessity, to grant us rewards. They understand that we cannot force the hands of God to satisfy our wants. Therefore, they introduce a better concept: grace. On top of observing the 10 commandments, Christians understand that they rely on God's grace to attain eternal life and this grace comes from their faith in Jesus Christ. John summarizes it well.
The author of Hebrews was probably the only New Testament author to define Moses' position in the Kingdom.
Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later,
but Christ was faithful over God's house as a son (Hebrews 3:5-6a).
Moses is only a servant in God's house but Jesus is the son. Moses is inferior to Jesus. Therefore Christianity is superior to Judaism. Why? It is because Moses' mission is, to a certain extent, a failure. The author of Hebrews quoted Psalm 95 to prove his case. The author reflected on the rebellions of Israelites in the wilderness.
Who were they that heard and yet were rebellious? Was it not all those who left Egypt under the leadership of Moses?
And with whom was he provoked forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?
And to whom did he swear that they should never enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient?
So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:16-19).
In one breath, the author of Hebrews advised Christians to benefit from the mistakes of the rebellious Israelites. Believe and place our hope in Jesus. Obey Jesus. Provoke Jesus not. Be not rebellious. Otherwise, Christians will not be able to enter God's rest!
And we are his house if we hold fast our confidence and pride in our hope (Hebrews 3:6b).
Dear Jesus, You are our hope and our pride. May we hold fast on You to enter God's rest. I place the implementation of NSS E&RS in Your hand. Help us realize it in Shung Tak. Amen.
Appendix:
Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, 'They always go astray in their hearts; they have not known my ways. As I swore in my wrath, They shall never enter my rest'.σήμερον ἐὰν τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ ἀκούσητε,
μὴ σκληρύνητε τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν ὡς ἐν τῷ παραπικρασμῷκατὰ τὴν ἡμέραν τοῦ πειρασμοῦ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ,
οὗ ἐπείρασαν οἱ πατέρες ὑμῶν ἐν δοκιμασίᾳ καὶ εἶδον τὰ ἔργα μου
τεσσεράκοντα ἔτη· διὸ προσώχθισα τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ καὶ εἶπον· ἀεὶ πλανῶνται τῇ καρδίᾳ, αὐτοὶ δὲ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν τὰς ὁδούς μου,
ὡς ὤμοσα ἐν τῇ ὀργῇ μου· εἰ εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσίν μου. (Hebrews 3:7b-11)
σήμερον, ἐὰν τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ ἀκούσητε,
μὴ σκληρύνητε τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν ὡς ἐν τῷ παραπικρασμῷ κατὰ τὴν ἡμέραν τοῦ πειρασμοῦ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ,
οὗ ἐπείρασαν οἱ πατέρες ὑμῶν, ἐδοκίμασαν καὶ εἴδοσαν τὰ ἔργα μου.
τεσσαράκοντα ἔτη προσώχθισα τῇ γενεᾷ ἐκείνῃ καὶ εἶπα Ἀεὶ πλανῶνται τῇ καρδίᾳ καὶ αὐτοὶ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν τὰς ὁδούς μου,
ὡς ὤμοσα ἐν τῇ ὀργῇ μου Εἰ εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσίν μου. (Psalm 94:7b-11,LXX, 95:7b-11 MT)
Wednesday 14 January 2009
Why should Jesus suffer?
Christian theology has been an ever evolving discipline and I believe that it still is. What theology students study today is the fruit of centuries of wrestling of the human mind with different questions on the nature of God, the nature of man, and of course questions surrounding dual natures of Jesus, the God-man himself and on how salvation is worked out etc. Consequently, we have different branches of theology. I think the text (Hebrew 2:10-18) I read today is an attempt to explain why Jesus should suffer. Since I have not studied soteriology, the part of dogmatic theology that deals with redemption, the following reflections can at most be babbling.
The author of Hebrews was trying to prove that man is privileged in God's sight. Though human nature is inferior to angels, God decided to subject everything, including angels, to man in the world to come (Hebrews 2:5). In the passion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the author understood that glory and honour came from the suffering of death and that it was God's grace that his death was on behalf of all (Hebrews 2:9).
Then the author proceeds to show that Jesus must suffer --- in order to make Jesus, the pioneer of salvation perfect.
For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering (Hebrews 2:10).
It seems that the author of Hebrews, and perhaps other New Testament authors as well, saw Jesus as their model. Jesus had been a great teacher. Not only did he preach, but he also practised. His actions were able to convey strong messages of attitudes. Therefore, it is only natural for the followers to look up to Jesus as their perfect model. At that time the New Testament was written, the disciples were suffering persecutions. Christians needed to suffer until 321 A.D. By then, they began to enjoy greater freedom and advantages. What helped them go through more than two centuries of sufferings?
People, whether ancient or modern, need to make sense of their sufferings. Otherwise, life would be unbearable. When people find a meaning in their sufferings, they are more willing to endure the pains and the inconvenience. Athletes, students and martyrs are good illustrations. Therefore, Christians in the first century would see suffering as the path leading to glory and honour. Just as athletes suffered to attain glory and honour in this world, early Christians were taught that suffering helped them attain glory and honour in the world to come. Christ was called the "first fruits" of resurrection by Paul (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23). Then James (James 1:18) and John (Revelation 14:4) called Christians the "first fruits" of redemption. Other theories of sufferings such as ransom, atonement etc. have to wait until the Church Fathers to develop. The previous sentence is only a speculation. I think the seeds of such theories can also be discovered in the scripture.
Then, the author of Hebrews continues to establish the High Priesthood of Jesus.
Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people.
For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted (Hebrews 2:17-18).
I will leave this for further reflection.
Dear Lord, You set up a model to suffer for us with mercy. Let us follow Your example to suffer without complaints for the love of our neighbours. Amen.
The author of Hebrews was trying to prove that man is privileged in God's sight. Though human nature is inferior to angels, God decided to subject everything, including angels, to man in the world to come (Hebrews 2:5). In the passion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the author understood that glory and honour came from the suffering of death and that it was God's grace that his death was on behalf of all (Hebrews 2:9).
Then the author proceeds to show that Jesus must suffer --- in order to make Jesus, the pioneer of salvation perfect.
For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering (Hebrews 2:10).
It seems that the author of Hebrews, and perhaps other New Testament authors as well, saw Jesus as their model. Jesus had been a great teacher. Not only did he preach, but he also practised. His actions were able to convey strong messages of attitudes. Therefore, it is only natural for the followers to look up to Jesus as their perfect model. At that time the New Testament was written, the disciples were suffering persecutions. Christians needed to suffer until 321 A.D. By then, they began to enjoy greater freedom and advantages. What helped them go through more than two centuries of sufferings?
People, whether ancient or modern, need to make sense of their sufferings. Otherwise, life would be unbearable. When people find a meaning in their sufferings, they are more willing to endure the pains and the inconvenience. Athletes, students and martyrs are good illustrations. Therefore, Christians in the first century would see suffering as the path leading to glory and honour. Just as athletes suffered to attain glory and honour in this world, early Christians were taught that suffering helped them attain glory and honour in the world to come. Christ was called the "first fruits" of resurrection by Paul (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23). Then James (James 1:18) and John (Revelation 14:4) called Christians the "first fruits" of redemption. Other theories of sufferings such as ransom, atonement etc. have to wait until the Church Fathers to develop. The previous sentence is only a speculation. I think the seeds of such theories can also be discovered in the scripture.
Then, the author of Hebrews continues to establish the High Priesthood of Jesus.
Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people.
For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted (Hebrews 2:17-18).
I will leave this for further reflection.
Dear Lord, You set up a model to suffer for us with mercy. Let us follow Your example to suffer without complaints for the love of our neighbours. Amen.
Tuesday 13 January 2009
God is mindful of man
We know that angels are far more powerful and superior creatures than human beings. They are spiritual beings and normally do not need a material body to execute their mission. They enjoy greater degree of freedom. Space and time cannot confine them. Since they are free from the constrain of time, I suppose they do not change, decay or die. Yet, they too are creatures of God. Creatures have beginnings. Some of them also have an end, like us. Some may not have an end. Angels and spiritual beings, probably including demons, belong to this class of creatures. That was why I said at the beginning that they are more superior than us humans. Revelation 12 tells us that they wedge a battle with Satan and devils and win. We have never won any battle over them.
However, after the end of the world (the world to come), God intends to subject everything under man.
For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking (Hebrews 2:5).
The author of Hebrews supports this view with a quotation from Psalm 8. He focused on the word "everything". With this word, the authors of the two testaments believed that God intends to subject even angels under man.
Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control (Hebrews 2:8b).
It is difficult to imagine subjecting angels under us. Of course, angels would bow to and serve respectfully Jesus, the Son of God. But we humans are still mortal and sinful.
So, the author of Hebrews continues to prove his point by highlighting the fact that Jesus, before whom the angels humble themselves, was not ashamed to call us brethren.
For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren (Hebrews 2:11)
Since Jesus and I are brothers, I should also enjoy the glory and honour due Jesus. But do I have the virtues of Jesus? No.
I learn one thing from the study of aggression in Psychology courses. Animals fight against each other for food and for mates. Yet, it would only be under extreme conditions in which their survival is threatened that they would kill each other and eat each other. In the end, eating your own kind would wipe out the whole species. Therefore, in the course of evolution, animals have developed a kind of intra-species combat protocol so that when the winner wolf is decided, it would stop short of killing the loser wolf. The winner would allow the loser to retreat and keep its life. The loser is not the winner's dinner. When it comes to man, murder is invented. Men is so evolved that instincts play only a minor role in determining their actions. They don't have a built-in combat protocol. They develop ethics to regulate their behaviours instead. Primitive men took a lot of energy to kill a rival. Modern men simply press a button to kill tens of thousands. Unfortunately, our ethics and virtues cannot catch up with our destructiveness.
We need to be saints in order to be able to command angels! I believe the Holy Spirit given us enables us to commands angels and makes us masters over them. Not now, but after the end of the world. So, for the time being, we should focus on a sanctified life.
My Lord, You are mindful of us to share Your eternal life with us. We are truly privileged among creatures to have angels subjected under our commands. Help us nurture compatible enough virtues to this privilege. Amen.
Appendix:
What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou carest for him?
Thou didst make him for a little while lower than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honor,
putting everything in subjection under his feet.
τί ἐστιν ἄνθρωπος ὅτι μιμνῄσκῃ αὐτοῦ, ἢ υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου ὅτι ἐπισκέπτῃ αὐτόν;
ἠλάττωσας αὐτὸν βραχύ τι παρ' ἀγγέλους, δόξῃ καὶ τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν,
πάντα ὑπέταξας ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ. (Hebrews 2:6-8a, Psalm 8:5-7)
I will proclaim thy name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee.
ἀπαγγελῶ τὸ ὄνομά σου τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου, ἐν μέσῳ ἐκκλησίας ὑμνήσω σε (Hebrews 2:12)
διηγήσομαι τὸ ὄνομά σου τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου, ἐν μέσῳ ἐκκλησίας ὑμνήσω σε (Psalm 21:23 LXX, 22:23 MT)
I will put my trust in him.
ἐγὼ ἔσομαι πεποιθὼς ἐπ' αὐτῷ (Hebrews 2:13a)
καὶ πεποιθὼς ἔσομαι ἐπ̓ αὐτῷ. (Isaiah 8:17)
Here am I, and the children God has given me
ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ καὶ τὰ παιδία ἅ μοι ἔδωκεν ὁ θεός (Hebrews 2:13b, Isaiah 8:18).
However, after the end of the world (the world to come), God intends to subject everything under man.
For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking (Hebrews 2:5).
The author of Hebrews supports this view with a quotation from Psalm 8. He focused on the word "everything". With this word, the authors of the two testaments believed that God intends to subject even angels under man.
Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control (Hebrews 2:8b).
It is difficult to imagine subjecting angels under us. Of course, angels would bow to and serve respectfully Jesus, the Son of God. But we humans are still mortal and sinful.
So, the author of Hebrews continues to prove his point by highlighting the fact that Jesus, before whom the angels humble themselves, was not ashamed to call us brethren.
For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren (Hebrews 2:11)
Since Jesus and I are brothers, I should also enjoy the glory and honour due Jesus. But do I have the virtues of Jesus? No.
I learn one thing from the study of aggression in Psychology courses. Animals fight against each other for food and for mates. Yet, it would only be under extreme conditions in which their survival is threatened that they would kill each other and eat each other. In the end, eating your own kind would wipe out the whole species. Therefore, in the course of evolution, animals have developed a kind of intra-species combat protocol so that when the winner wolf is decided, it would stop short of killing the loser wolf. The winner would allow the loser to retreat and keep its life. The loser is not the winner's dinner. When it comes to man, murder is invented. Men is so evolved that instincts play only a minor role in determining their actions. They don't have a built-in combat protocol. They develop ethics to regulate their behaviours instead. Primitive men took a lot of energy to kill a rival. Modern men simply press a button to kill tens of thousands. Unfortunately, our ethics and virtues cannot catch up with our destructiveness.
We need to be saints in order to be able to command angels! I believe the Holy Spirit given us enables us to commands angels and makes us masters over them. Not now, but after the end of the world. So, for the time being, we should focus on a sanctified life.
My Lord, You are mindful of us to share Your eternal life with us. We are truly privileged among creatures to have angels subjected under our commands. Help us nurture compatible enough virtues to this privilege. Amen.
Appendix:
What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou carest for him?
Thou didst make him for a little while lower than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honor,
putting everything in subjection under his feet.
τί ἐστιν ἄνθρωπος ὅτι μιμνῄσκῃ αὐτοῦ, ἢ υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου ὅτι ἐπισκέπτῃ αὐτόν;
ἠλάττωσας αὐτὸν βραχύ τι παρ' ἀγγέλους, δόξῃ καὶ τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν,
πάντα ὑπέταξας ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ. (Hebrews 2:6-8a, Psalm 8:5-7)
I will proclaim thy name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee.
ἀπαγγελῶ τὸ ὄνομά σου τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου, ἐν μέσῳ ἐκκλησίας ὑμνήσω σε (Hebrews 2:12)
διηγήσομαι τὸ ὄνομά σου τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου, ἐν μέσῳ ἐκκλησίας ὑμνήσω σε (Psalm 21:23 LXX, 22:23 MT)
I will put my trust in him.
ἐγὼ ἔσομαι πεποιθὼς ἐπ' αὐτῷ (Hebrews 2:13a)
καὶ πεποιθὼς ἔσομαι ἐπ̓ αὐτῷ. (Isaiah 8:17)
Here am I, and the children God has given me
ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ καὶ τὰ παιδία ἅ μοι ἔδωκεν ὁ θεός (Hebrews 2:13b, Isaiah 8:18).
Monday 12 January 2009
Had God ever revealed to us Chinese?
As a Chinese Catholic, I always ask myself one question which I probably will never be able to obtain a satisfactory answer. Why was Jesus born a Jew and not a Chinese? Are we Chinese good enough to beget the Saviour of the world? May people say it is a mystery. Only God knows the truth. Fine.
When I read the first verse of the epistle to the Hebrews, I naturally would ask the question again.
In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets (Hebrews 1:1)
Has God ever spoken of old to our ancestors? Is it possible to discover traces of divine revelation in the Chinese ancient documents? Have God ever tried to reveal Himself to the Chinese people but decided to choose Abraham and his descendents instead?
Israelite and Chinese are eastern civilizations. There are a lot of similarities between their modes of thought and ethical teachings. For example, both cultures honour their parents. Both regard their kings the sons of God/Heavens. Of course, there are also millions of points of departures between the two. For example, while the Jews consciously segregate themselves from Gentiles, Han, the majority tribe of China has a great ability to assimilate alien tribes. Even alien rulers (there were only two, the Mongolians and the Manchurians) adapted themselves to the customs and culture of the majority they were ruling. Furthermore, the Jews expected a Messiah to deliver them from alien oppressions. No such Messianic figure has ever appeared in the history of China which is peppered with peasant revolutionaries or disillusioned generals. Change in dynasties is only the passing of the control of the country from one family to another. People did not care who occupied the throne ...
The epistle of the Hebrews relies heavily on the Septuagint. The following quotations from the first chapter have already shown this tendency. The wordings are (nearly) identical!
Thou art my Son, today I have begotten theeυἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε;
(Hebrews 1:5a, Psalm 2:7b LXX)
I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a sonἐγὼ ἔσομαι αὐτῷ εἰς πατέρα, καὶ αὐτὸς ἔσται μοι εἰς υἱόν;
(Hebrews 1:5b, 2 Samuel 7:14a)
Let all God's angels worship himκαὶ προσκυνησάτωσαν αὐτῷ πάντες ἄγγελοι θεοῦ. (Hebrews 1:6b)
καὶ προσκυνησάτωσαν αὐτῷ πάντες υἱοὶ θεοῦ (Deuteronomy 32:43, LXX)
Praise his people, O you nations; for he avenges the blood of his servants, and takes vengeance on his adversaries, and makes expiation for the land of his people (Deuteronomy 32:43, MT)
In the Old Testament, the term "sons of God" can mean "angels". Therefore, the Greek New Testament text and the Septuagint text agree with each other. While the first two quotations are identical, it is rather difficult to see any similarity between the Greek text (LXX) and the Masoretic Text (MT).
Who makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire
ὁ ποιῶν τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ πνεύματακαὶ τοὺς λειτουργοὺς αὐτοῦ πυρὸς φλόγα, (Hebrews 1:7b)
ὁ ποιῶν τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ πνεύματα καὶ τοὺς λειτουργοὺς αὐτοῦ πῦρ φλέγον.
(Psalm 103:4 LXX, 104:4 MT)
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever, the righteous scepter is the scepter of thy kingdom.
Thou hast loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, thy God, has anointed thee with the oil of gladness beyond thy comrades.
ὁ θρόνος σου ὁ θεὸς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, καὶ ἡ ῥάβδος τῆς εὐθύτητος ῥάβδος τῆς βασιλείας σου.
ἠγάπησας δικαιοσύνην καὶ ἐμίσησας ἀνομίαν· διὰ τοῦτο ἔχρισέν σε ὁ θεὸς ὁ θεός σου ἔλαιον ἀγαλλιάσεως παρὰ τοὺς μετόχους σου. (Hebrews 1:8-9)
ὁ θρόνος σου, ὁ θεός, εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, ῥάβδος εὐθύτητος ἡ ῥάβδος τῆς βασιλείας σου.
ἠγάπησας δικαιοσύνην καὶ ἐμίσησας ἀνομίαν, διὰ τοῦτο ἔχρισέν σε ὁ θεὸς ὁ θεός σου ἔλαιον ἀγαλλιάσεως παρὰ τοὺς μετόχους σου. (Psalm 44:7-8 LXX, 45:7-8 MT)
Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands;
they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment,
like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end.
σὺ κατ' ἀρχάς, κύριε, τὴν γῆν ἐθεμελίωσας,καὶ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σού εἰσιν οἱ οὐρανοί·
αὐτοὶ ἀπολοῦνται, σὺ δὲ διαμένεις,καὶ πάντες ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσονται, καὶ ὡσεὶ περιβόλαιον ἑλίξεις αὐτούς,ὡς ἱμάτιον καὶ ἀλλαγήσονται·
σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ καὶ τὰ ἔτη σου οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν. (Hebrews 1:10-12)
κατ̓ ἀρχὰς σύ, κύριε, τὴν γῆν ἐθεμελίωσας, καὶ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σού εἰσιν οἱ οὐρανοί,
αὐτοὶ ἀπολοῦνται, σὺ δὲ διαμενεῖς, καὶ πάντες ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσονται, καὶ ὡσεὶ περιβόλαιον ἀλλάξεις αὐτούς, καὶ ἀλλαγήσονται,
σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ, καὶ τὰ ἔτη σου οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν. (Psalm 101:26-28 LXX, 102:26-28 MT)
Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet
κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου,ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου;
(Hebrews 1:13, Psalm 109:1b LXX, 110:1b MT)
Sorry, I have digressed too afar. What I can't shake off in my head is still the same. God sent His only Son Jesus to become a Jew to speak to the world. This Son had created the world and would inherit all things. After his redemptive work, the Son had returned and sat at the right hand of God (Hebrews 1:1-3). But had God ever visited our Chinese ancestors? Perhaps.
In Genesis 18, we read of the story of three uninvited guests who came to visit Abraham, telling him that his wife Sarah would bore him a son. Interesting, the fifth oracle of I-Ching has a similar reading.
【需】上六，入于穴，有不速之客三人來，敬之終吉。
《象》曰：不速之客來，敬之終吉，雖不當位，未大失也。
Enter the cave (tent?), 3 uninvited guests came, Respect them. Ends well.
In my valedictory speech at the CBI Graduation Ceremony in 2007, I mentioned two other coincidences found in the wisdom story of king Solomon and the parable of unfaithful steward in Luke. I regret not reading enough Bible or Chinese Classics. Otherwise, it would be more fascinating to discover more of these coincidences. It may be possible to shed lights on a better interpretation of the texts in either direction.
Dear Lord, You have spoken to different people in different ways. You invited the 3 Magi with a star. I wonder how You invited our Chinese ancestors. Of course, they did not respond properly and missed the opportunity to be graced by Your incarnation. But I trust You will not give us up. I believe You will bring us salvation at Your time, in Your way. May Your kingdom come to China. Amen.
When I read the first verse of the epistle to the Hebrews, I naturally would ask the question again.
In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets (Hebrews 1:1)
Has God ever spoken of old to our ancestors? Is it possible to discover traces of divine revelation in the Chinese ancient documents? Have God ever tried to reveal Himself to the Chinese people but decided to choose Abraham and his descendents instead?
Israelite and Chinese are eastern civilizations. There are a lot of similarities between their modes of thought and ethical teachings. For example, both cultures honour their parents. Both regard their kings the sons of God/Heavens. Of course, there are also millions of points of departures between the two. For example, while the Jews consciously segregate themselves from Gentiles, Han, the majority tribe of China has a great ability to assimilate alien tribes. Even alien rulers (there were only two, the Mongolians and the Manchurians) adapted themselves to the customs and culture of the majority they were ruling. Furthermore, the Jews expected a Messiah to deliver them from alien oppressions. No such Messianic figure has ever appeared in the history of China which is peppered with peasant revolutionaries or disillusioned generals. Change in dynasties is only the passing of the control of the country from one family to another. People did not care who occupied the throne ...
The epistle of the Hebrews relies heavily on the Septuagint. The following quotations from the first chapter have already shown this tendency. The wordings are (nearly) identical!
Thou art my Son, today I have begotten theeυἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε;
(Hebrews 1:5a, Psalm 2:7b LXX)
I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a sonἐγὼ ἔσομαι αὐτῷ εἰς πατέρα, καὶ αὐτὸς ἔσται μοι εἰς υἱόν;
(Hebrews 1:5b, 2 Samuel 7:14a)
Let all God's angels worship himκαὶ προσκυνησάτωσαν αὐτῷ πάντες ἄγγελοι θεοῦ. (Hebrews 1:6b)
καὶ προσκυνησάτωσαν αὐτῷ πάντες υἱοὶ θεοῦ (Deuteronomy 32:43, LXX)
Praise his people, O you nations; for he avenges the blood of his servants, and takes vengeance on his adversaries, and makes expiation for the land of his people (Deuteronomy 32:43, MT)
In the Old Testament, the term "sons of God" can mean "angels". Therefore, the Greek New Testament text and the Septuagint text agree with each other. While the first two quotations are identical, it is rather difficult to see any similarity between the Greek text (LXX) and the Masoretic Text (MT).
Who makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire
ὁ ποιῶν τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ πνεύματακαὶ τοὺς λειτουργοὺς αὐτοῦ πυρὸς φλόγα, (Hebrews 1:7b)
ὁ ποιῶν τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ πνεύματα καὶ τοὺς λειτουργοὺς αὐτοῦ πῦρ φλέγον.
(Psalm 103:4 LXX, 104:4 MT)
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever, the righteous scepter is the scepter of thy kingdom.
Thou hast loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, thy God, has anointed thee with the oil of gladness beyond thy comrades.
ὁ θρόνος σου ὁ θεὸς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, καὶ ἡ ῥάβδος τῆς εὐθύτητος ῥάβδος τῆς βασιλείας σου.
ἠγάπησας δικαιοσύνην καὶ ἐμίσησας ἀνομίαν· διὰ τοῦτο ἔχρισέν σε ὁ θεὸς ὁ θεός σου ἔλαιον ἀγαλλιάσεως παρὰ τοὺς μετόχους σου. (Hebrews 1:8-9)
ὁ θρόνος σου, ὁ θεός, εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, ῥάβδος εὐθύτητος ἡ ῥάβδος τῆς βασιλείας σου.
ἠγάπησας δικαιοσύνην καὶ ἐμίσησας ἀνομίαν, διὰ τοῦτο ἔχρισέν σε ὁ θεὸς ὁ θεός σου ἔλαιον ἀγαλλιάσεως παρὰ τοὺς μετόχους σου. (Psalm 44:7-8 LXX, 45:7-8 MT)
Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands;
they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment,
like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end.
σὺ κατ' ἀρχάς, κύριε, τὴν γῆν ἐθεμελίωσας,καὶ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σού εἰσιν οἱ οὐρανοί·
αὐτοὶ ἀπολοῦνται, σὺ δὲ διαμένεις,καὶ πάντες ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσονται, καὶ ὡσεὶ περιβόλαιον ἑλίξεις αὐτούς,ὡς ἱμάτιον καὶ ἀλλαγήσονται·
σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ καὶ τὰ ἔτη σου οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν. (Hebrews 1:10-12)
κατ̓ ἀρχὰς σύ, κύριε, τὴν γῆν ἐθεμελίωσας, καὶ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σού εἰσιν οἱ οὐρανοί,
αὐτοὶ ἀπολοῦνται, σὺ δὲ διαμενεῖς, καὶ πάντες ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσονται, καὶ ὡσεὶ περιβόλαιον ἀλλάξεις αὐτούς, καὶ ἀλλαγήσονται,
σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ, καὶ τὰ ἔτη σου οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν. (Psalm 101:26-28 LXX, 102:26-28 MT)
Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet
κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου,ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου;
(Hebrews 1:13, Psalm 109:1b LXX, 110:1b MT)
Sorry, I have digressed too afar. What I can't shake off in my head is still the same. God sent His only Son Jesus to become a Jew to speak to the world. This Son had created the world and would inherit all things. After his redemptive work, the Son had returned and sat at the right hand of God (Hebrews 1:1-3). But had God ever visited our Chinese ancestors? Perhaps.
In Genesis 18, we read of the story of three uninvited guests who came to visit Abraham, telling him that his wife Sarah would bore him a son. Interesting, the fifth oracle of I-Ching has a similar reading.
【需】上六，入于穴，有不速之客三人來，敬之終吉。
《象》曰：不速之客來，敬之終吉，雖不當位，未大失也。
Enter the cave (tent?), 3 uninvited guests came, Respect them. Ends well.
In my valedictory speech at the CBI Graduation Ceremony in 2007, I mentioned two other coincidences found in the wisdom story of king Solomon and the parable of unfaithful steward in Luke. I regret not reading enough Bible or Chinese Classics. Otherwise, it would be more fascinating to discover more of these coincidences. It may be possible to shed lights on a better interpretation of the texts in either direction.
Dear Lord, You have spoken to different people in different ways. You invited the 3 Magi with a star. I wonder how You invited our Chinese ancestors. Of course, they did not respond properly and missed the opportunity to be graced by Your incarnation. But I trust You will not give us up. I believe You will bring us salvation at Your time, in Your way. May Your kingdom come to China. Amen.
Sunday 11 January 2009
Feast of the Baptism of Christ
Before Jesus emerged on the stage, John the Baptist appeared first in the wilderness to preach repentance. Repentance was not a new concept for the Jews. Seeing the corruption of the government officials and the ordinary people, many prophets urged the people to repent, to turn back to God, to turn from their present course of life back to the path of God. For example, one of the major prophets Isaiah had the following advice.
Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near (Isaiah 55:6).
At the moment, despite some setbacks as a result of the financial tsunami, people are still living in a prosperous society. Life has been easy and people easily lose a sense of crisis. There is a Chinese proverb advising people to be alert all the time. It says 居安思危 --- while you live comfortably, think about danger/crisis. When most people were earning money in the stock market, how many of them had ever thought about the hidden crisis of sub-prime mortgages and mini-bonds put up by the Lehman Brothers? Nowadays, teachers are advised not to reprimand students but to encourage them. Therefore, we tell those who fail to hand in their homework that it is better late than never! The concept of a deadline is blurred. A sense of crisis has never been built up. Today, we know that this can be costly!
In the spiritual realm, the Church does not dare to stand her ground. She does not want to look too conservative. Otherwise, she will be driving away believers and failing her mission to save the souls. So, nowadays, the Church are tolerant of all sorts of sins which were mortal in the earlier generations. Gradually, less and less people go to confessions, to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. People are putting off their opportunity to repent. I can still go next Sunday. The Church will not vanish overnight. She will continue to serve my needs. But Isaiah said
Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near (Isaiah 55:6)
because we may not live to see the day tomorrow.
Most people are reluctant to go to confession. Perhaps they are embarrassed. Perhaps they have not maintained a healthy habit of regular reflection and examination of their conscience. Perhaps God or the priest is too intimidating. Perhaps Satan has prevailed over their guardian angel. Perhaps there really is nothing worth confessing. Perhaps ... Perhaps they should listen to Isaiah's advice again.
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:7-9).
Isaiah has assured us that God will abundantly pardon our shortcomings. God's thoughts are beyond our wildest imagination. The famous line from John should drive away all our excuses not to go to confessions.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him (John 3:16-17).
Today marks the end of the Christmas season. It is the beginning of the 1st Ordinary week. In previous weeks, we celebrate the Joyful Mysteries of Incarnation. Before we reach the Sorrow Mysteries of Jesus' Passion, we are in the stage of gradual revelation, of illumination. That is why the late Pope John Paul II introduced the 5 Luminous Mysteries of Rosary in October 16, 2002.
Today, Fr. Lejeune celebrated the 11 a.m. mass with us. He focused on the theme of "beloved son".
and a voice came from heaven, "Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased." (Mark 1:11)
Not only is Jesus the Beloved Son of the Father, but we too are. Jesus did not need any baptism to wash away his sins because Jesus has none. Yet, he shows us the proper way to become beloved sons of the Father.
But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness." Then he consented (Matthew 3:15).
He humbled himself to receive the Baptism of John. In fact, John confessed that he himself needed Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:14). It is because Jesus' baptism carries with it the gift of the Holy Spirit. In fact, John had already experienced this Holy Spirit while he was still in Elizabeth's womb (Luke 1:41, 44).
Mark's story is complemented by those in Matthew and Luke. Still, we should not lose sight of this wonderful love of God who wants us to be His beloved sons. So, let this be our purpose of life --- to be beloved sons of the Father like Jesus.
Dear Lord, You are the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by You (John 14:6). Help us follow behind You and secure the eternal life. Amen.
Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near (Isaiah 55:6).
At the moment, despite some setbacks as a result of the financial tsunami, people are still living in a prosperous society. Life has been easy and people easily lose a sense of crisis. There is a Chinese proverb advising people to be alert all the time. It says 居安思危 --- while you live comfortably, think about danger/crisis. When most people were earning money in the stock market, how many of them had ever thought about the hidden crisis of sub-prime mortgages and mini-bonds put up by the Lehman Brothers? Nowadays, teachers are advised not to reprimand students but to encourage them. Therefore, we tell those who fail to hand in their homework that it is better late than never! The concept of a deadline is blurred. A sense of crisis has never been built up. Today, we know that this can be costly!
In the spiritual realm, the Church does not dare to stand her ground. She does not want to look too conservative. Otherwise, she will be driving away believers and failing her mission to save the souls. So, nowadays, the Church are tolerant of all sorts of sins which were mortal in the earlier generations. Gradually, less and less people go to confessions, to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. People are putting off their opportunity to repent. I can still go next Sunday. The Church will not vanish overnight. She will continue to serve my needs. But Isaiah said
Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near (Isaiah 55:6)
because we may not live to see the day tomorrow.
Most people are reluctant to go to confession. Perhaps they are embarrassed. Perhaps they have not maintained a healthy habit of regular reflection and examination of their conscience. Perhaps God or the priest is too intimidating. Perhaps Satan has prevailed over their guardian angel. Perhaps there really is nothing worth confessing. Perhaps ... Perhaps they should listen to Isaiah's advice again.
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:7-9).
Isaiah has assured us that God will abundantly pardon our shortcomings. God's thoughts are beyond our wildest imagination. The famous line from John should drive away all our excuses not to go to confessions.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him (John 3:16-17).
Today marks the end of the Christmas season. It is the beginning of the 1st Ordinary week. In previous weeks, we celebrate the Joyful Mysteries of Incarnation. Before we reach the Sorrow Mysteries of Jesus' Passion, we are in the stage of gradual revelation, of illumination. That is why the late Pope John Paul II introduced the 5 Luminous Mysteries of Rosary in October 16, 2002.
Today, Fr. Lejeune celebrated the 11 a.m. mass with us. He focused on the theme of "beloved son".
and a voice came from heaven, "Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased." (Mark 1:11)
Not only is Jesus the Beloved Son of the Father, but we too are. Jesus did not need any baptism to wash away his sins because Jesus has none. Yet, he shows us the proper way to become beloved sons of the Father.
But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness." Then he consented (Matthew 3:15).
He humbled himself to receive the Baptism of John. In fact, John confessed that he himself needed Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:14). It is because Jesus' baptism carries with it the gift of the Holy Spirit. In fact, John had already experienced this Holy Spirit while he was still in Elizabeth's womb (Luke 1:41, 44).
Mark's story is complemented by those in Matthew and Luke. Still, we should not lose sight of this wonderful love of God who wants us to be His beloved sons. So, let this be our purpose of life --- to be beloved sons of the Father like Jesus.
Dear Lord, You are the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by You (John 14:6). Help us follow behind You and secure the eternal life. Amen.
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