9th May 24

Morning,

Busy day today, off To St Catherine’s to talk to the multifaith community about our wonderful                  Bereavement Café. What a privilege! Need to get a wriggle on to be ready in time.

 

Today’s reading is Hebrews 7:11-25, 26 end.

 

 

Now if perfection had been attainable through the levitical priesthood—for the people received the law under this priesthood—what further need would there have been to speak of another priest arising according to the order of Melchizedek, rather than one according to the order of Aaron? ¹²For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. ¹³Now the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. ¹⁴For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

15 It is even more obvious when another priest arises, resembling Melchizedek, ¹⁶one who has become a priest, not through a legal requirement concerning physical descent, but through the power of an indestructible life. ¹⁷For it is attested of him,
‘You are a priest for ever,
   according to the order of Melchizedek.’
¹⁸There is, on the one hand, the abrogation of an earlier commandment because it was weak and ineffectual ¹⁹(for the law made nothing perfect); there is, on the other hand, the introduction of a better hope, through which we approach God.

20 This was confirmed with an oath; for others who became priests took their office without an oath, ²¹but this one became a priest with an oath, because of the one who said to him,
‘The Lord has sworn
   and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest for ever” ’—
²²accordingly Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.

23 Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; ²⁴but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever. ²⁵Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. ²⁸For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever.

 

Reflection

The letter to the Hebrew is complicated, reflecting on Christ’s self offering. Christ eliminates the repetitive cycle of Temple sacrifice through the unified action of his human and divine nature. As a man he suffers as he dies,: as God he raises humanity to eternal life. He is bith victim and priest; priest and king. Consequently, Christ’s protype ids the righteous king Melchizedek, who appears fleetingly to bless Abram.

In contrast with some later atonement theories, Hebrews speak not of satisfaction so much as intercession, whilst his sacrifice was once and for all his prayers for us continue. The wonderful Ascencsion day hymn “Hail the day that sees him rise” affirms this action.....”still fo us he intercedes...”

Themes of Hebrews are further enlarged by reflections of priesthood today. In the sacraments the ordained priest represents the continuing actions of divine forgiveness, adoption and sanctification. But the whole of the people of God embody Christ’s  priesthood, working for the world and in the world. Today is Ascension Day, the day Christ is taken up into heaven, the day his ministry continues on a different plain. He still shows us his presence and his love for us, and our job? We are called to make those “prints of love”, those marks of his love, visible to all, to share the blessings that he bestows.

 

Today’s prayers.

Grant, we pray, Almighty God,

That as we believe your only begotten Son

Our Lord Jesus Christ

To have ascended into the heavens,

So we in our heart and mind may ascend

And with him constantly dwell;

Who is alive and reigns with you,

In the unity of the Holy Spirit,

One God, now and for ever.

Amen.

 Please continue to pray for His Majesty, King Charles and for her Royal Highness, Catherine Princess of Wales.

 

Right off to get my posh frock on and get over to St Catherine’s.

Have a good day

 

Rev Rie