HOMILIES

Dear Audience,
For better understanding of the spiritual message behind this homily I kindly remind you to first read and contemplate the biblical texts before reading or listening to my preaching - a human reflection on the Word of God!

Twenty Ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B)

Oct 18, 2015

2223

Listen Read

First Reading

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (53:10-11)

The Lord was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If He gives His life as an offering for sin, He shall see His descendants in a long life, and the will of the Lord shall be accomplished through Him. Because of His affliction He shall see the light in fullness of days; through His suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.

(P) The word of the Lord.
(R) Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalms of David (33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22)

(R) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Upright is the word of the Lord, and all His works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full. (R)

See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for His kindness, to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. (R)

Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield. May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you. (R)

Second Reading

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (4:14-16)

Brothers and sisters: Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace of receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

(P) The word of the Lord.
(R) Thanks be to God.

Gospel

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (10:35-45)

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him: "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." He replied: "What do you wish me to do for you?" They answered him: "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." Jesus said to them: "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said to him: "We can." Jesus said to them: "The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.

Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

(P) The Gospel of the Lord.
(R) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily

This is the third week we read and reflect on the letter to the Hebrews which is full of encouragement, exhortations and warnings. We do not know for sure who wrote the letter nor do we know to which community it was addressed. However, from its content we learn that it was written to encourage the Jewish Christians, also known as Hebrew Christians not to abandon their faith in spite of the persecutions and afflictions they were facing at the time.

First, the writer describes the greatness of our Lord Jesus. He said that Jesus was God but became "for a little while lower than the angels", though sinless, to experience human conditions, so that he could share our sufferings and help us in times of temptations, and bring us all to God's glory. Then he explained the power of the Word of God. He said that the Word of God is living, effective and sharp. It has the power to penetrate deep within us and expose our thoughts, motives, intentions, doubts, fears, anxieties and everything in our life. That is to say, nothing is hidden from God. In today's text, the writer talks about the mercy and goodness of Jesus Christ.

(v. 14) Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.

According to the writer, of all the people including prophets, kings, spiritual and religious leaders who have inspired and led thousands of millions of people throughout human history, Jesus is uniquely the greatest. Jesus is a great high priest. He is not an ordinary priest who ushers people into the presence of God; brings people to the knowledge of God and serves in temples and offers sacrifices to God on behalf of people, but a great high priest who has ascended to heaven in His risen body to plead for us before the throne of God. That's to say, Jesus is in heaven interceding on our behalf for all our needs. Therefore, the writer calls on all who are weak and suffering not to give up but to hold onto their faith in Jesus Christ. And in the next verse the writer stresses why we must hold firmly to the faith that we have confessed.
(v. 15) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.

The writer wants all Christians to know that our Lord Jesus was human like us in all things except sin. He endured the trials of human life like we do, and resisted temptations that we too are exposed to but often fail to overcome due to our weakness. Even though Jesus is holy and God, transcending time and space, he experienced sadness, distress, loneliness and agony like we do. The test was given to him just like to us. Therefore, the writer says that Jesus can sympathize with us and help us in our weaknesses and struggles.
(v. 16) So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

The "throne of grace" in this verse is a reference to the "throne of God". Psalm (89:14) describes God's throne as righteousness, justice, mercy and truth. The writer of the Hebrews goes one step further in describing the "throne of grace" as where kindness, mercy, and benevolence may be found. That's to say, all believers have constant access to the divine grace flowing through Jesus Christ, and from Him all are continually receiving grace upon grace. Hence, all Christians in their afflictions are encouraged to draw near to the throne of grace to find timely help.

What is the message for us?

We all know that struggles and suffering in life can either make us strong and deepen our faith in God or make us weak and give up trust in God. In this struggle only some of us persevere and succeed. Many waver and some easily get discouraged and cease seeking God in prayer which cuts us off from the very help that we need.

Through today's passage from the letter to the Hebrews, it is comforting to know that God knows our weaknesses, and He is powerful enough to do what He wills. We need not worry but rather in confidence approach Him for mercy and grace. Let us take a moment right now to think about whatever might be troubling us or what we are struggling with these days. It may be some kind of fear or broken relationships or health problems or job or money or family. Or perhaps you are wrestling with some sort of temptation. Or you're thinking of doing something that you know isn't right, but you want to do it anyway. Or, maybe you're in the middle of a difficult situation and you're not quite sure what to do or you don't know how to respond.

Whatever your personal needs are, boldly approach the throne of grace. Mercy and grace are the things we desire; mercy for past sins and grace to purify our souls. Seek the throne of grace with reverence and godly fear in all times of trials and temptations. Hold onto your faith in Jesus Christ no matter how hard the circumstances are, or no matter how difficult your struggles seem to be. As the apostle James (4:8) tells us, "draw close to God, and God will draw close to you". Constantly affirm your faith in the prayers and help of our Lord Jesus Christ, our High Priest.

(P) Amen.

God Bless You!

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