Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
When you think of Jesus, what do you think was his job? Healer of the sick, the lame and the blind, as in today’s gospel? Preacher? Teacher? Leader of men? Messiah? The second reading from Hebrews reminds us of his main duty: Priest. It calls him a High Priest, referring to the Jewish priesthood in which one priest was chosen each year to offer the most important sacrifices and so appeal to God for forgiveness of the peoples’ sins. Now this may sound like primitive religion, but it actually lets us understand Jesus even better.
The high priest offered sacrifice for his own sins, as well as the peoples’. While Jesus did not sin, he experienced temptations just as we do and so can intercede for us as one who knows what it is like to be tempted. He also knows suffering, from his passion and death on the cross. If you ever wonder if you deserve to be forgiven, remember that Jesus died for all sinners, deserving or not. The High Priest was the one to bring the Israelites prayers to God and God’s blessings to the people. Jesus also brings our prayers to his Father and shows us the Father’s love.
Our baptism gives us a share in that priesthood. You don’t have to be ordained to pray for your friends and family. You don’t have to be a bishop to bring God’s love to those around you. When you listen to a friend who is hurting, or forgive someone who hurts you, you are blessing them with God’s love. When you encourage them to have faith and trust in the Lord, you are bringing them to God. You are sharing in the priesthood of Christ.
Tom Schmidt