Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
(Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark 2:18-22)
What does it mean to be a human being? Without sounding silly or arrogant, we might
answer it does mean something. Contrary
to what some are saying today, we are not individuals who we can define
themselves in whatever way we like. We
have similar feelings, an intellect and a will, as well as bodily makeup. In other words, we all have a human nature.
The Letter to the Hebrews identifies Jesus Christ as one of us. It says that Jesus understood our feelings
and needs. He suffered in the same ways
that we do and experienced our joys and satisfaction. But one thing Jesus did not share with other
human beings was the guilt of sin. He
never offended God, his Father. For
these reasons, the letter concludes, Jesus makes the perfect high priest. He knows our human situation and gives
himself to appealing to God for us. He
does not ask for himself because he is always one with the Father.
