(Hebrews 12)
Ken Untener was the bishop of Saginaw, Michigan. His episcopacy was legendary. For a long time he refused to have a permanent residence; rather, he would circulate around the different parishes of his diocese staying in their rectories in order to get to know the people. He not only preached well, but he also memorized the gospel – sometimes giving his homily as a few comments before a dramatic recitation of the gospel by heart. Bishop Untener also gave workshops to priests on preaching around the country. He told them that their homilies should not last longer than four minutes. Why only four minutes? Because, he said, Mass in a Catholic church has much that speaks to the people besides the homily. The readings themselves are often self-evident. The stained glass windows tell their stories. The hymns relate a message. The prayers convey much meaning.
The Letter to the Hebrews today refers to of the Christian liturgical assembly – what we call the Mass. Like Bishop Untener’s description, it speaks of it as a setting of peace and light. It is where, most of all, we meet Christ who comes to save us, not to condemn us. The Christian assembly differs dramatically from the Hebrew assembly in the desert. That was a terrifying experience where God had to soften and shape an unruly lot. We can be grateful that we were not part of it.
I know that I am speaking to the choir, but even we can grow weary of Mass. It is possible – better people than we have done it – that one Sunday we just not come and then allow that irregularity to become the norm. It would be a tragic mistake worse than riding in a car with bad brakes. It is not that everyone in church is a saint, but here we come to remind ourselves that sainthood is our destiny. Even more importantly, here we hear the Word of God and receive His nourishment so that we may become what we are destined to be.
Showing posts with label Letter to the hebrews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Letter to the hebrews. Show all posts
Homilette for Wednesday, January 17, 2007
(Hebrews 7)
Once a seminary professor was complaining to his class about the way evangelicals pray. “Why do you always say ‘just,’”? he asked. “Why do you have to say, ‘we just want to thank you, Lord,” and “we just want to ask you, Lord.” A student answered somewhat testily. “Just is a word we used to express awe,” he said. “We don’t feel that we are on equal terms with God. I suppose that when you are a seminary professor, you can walk right up to God and act like a pal.”
It’s true. Sometimes when we pray, we forget to whom we are talking. God is so much greater than we that we might as well be fruit flies communicating with a whale. What is remarkable – no, more than that, stupendous – is how much God wants to hear us. He sent His Son to open communication lines with us. It is as if for something of the utmost international importance, George W. Bush would not send Condoleezza Rice but his own father, the senior George Bush, whom he trusts intimately and completely.
This is the point which The Letter to the Hebrews makes today and over and over again. Jesus Christ is not the ordinary priest but unique perhaps akin to Melchizedek who makes a fleeting appearance in the Book of Genesis. He is the one most worth praying to because he has complete access to God since he came from and has returned to Him. Furthermore, he knows our condition intimately since he walked our ways. We also must never stop entrusting our lives to him.
Once a seminary professor was complaining to his class about the way evangelicals pray. “Why do you always say ‘just,’”? he asked. “Why do you have to say, ‘we just want to thank you, Lord,” and “we just want to ask you, Lord.” A student answered somewhat testily. “Just is a word we used to express awe,” he said. “We don’t feel that we are on equal terms with God. I suppose that when you are a seminary professor, you can walk right up to God and act like a pal.”
It’s true. Sometimes when we pray, we forget to whom we are talking. God is so much greater than we that we might as well be fruit flies communicating with a whale. What is remarkable – no, more than that, stupendous – is how much God wants to hear us. He sent His Son to open communication lines with us. It is as if for something of the utmost international importance, George W. Bush would not send Condoleezza Rice but his own father, the senior George Bush, whom he trusts intimately and completely.
This is the point which The Letter to the Hebrews makes today and over and over again. Jesus Christ is not the ordinary priest but unique perhaps akin to Melchizedek who makes a fleeting appearance in the Book of Genesis. He is the one most worth praying to because he has complete access to God since he came from and has returned to Him. Furthermore, he knows our condition intimately since he walked our ways. We also must never stop entrusting our lives to him.
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