November 17: Holy Time Warp!

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

This week is the last we will hear from the letter to the Hebrews. It makes the point that when Jesus allowed himself to be crucified he was actually being a priest, offering himself for the sins of the world. Jesus replaces the high priests of Israel, whose offerings had no power to forgive sins. After giving his life for us, he takes his place as God’s equal. He is now the eternal Priest, so all clergy since the time of Jesus are visible signs of that priesthood. 

When we celebrate the Eucharist, Jesus’ sacrifice is there: The bread that is his Body is broken; the wine that is his Blood is poured out. We are present at his death and resurrection, without needing a flux capacitor or a time warp. Instead of taking us back in time, he brings his saving death and resurrection to us now. His sacrifice is an eternal one, redeeming all past and future sins. So if you have come back to church after being absent for years, you don’t have to hide behind the hymnal. If you have sins weighing on your conscience, God has already offered you forgiveness. He knows all our weaknesses and lets us learn from our mistakes.

The Eucharist also reminds us that Jesus is present in glory, with us always, sharing his priesthood with all the baptized. We too are called to forgive, starting with ourselves. We can show God’s mercy by forgiving each other. Since Jesus lives in us, we offer our lives as sacrifice for sins, as St. Paul said, “I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions.” (Col 1:24) Does that mean we are supposed to seek ways to suffer? No, it means the suffering we cannot avoid can become our offering to God, a way to take up our cross as Jesus did, and a way to experience God’s power in our weakness.

At the Eucharist, we pray with the priest, “that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God…” All the sacrifices we make, from accepting serious illness, to giving up something for Lent, are ways we take part in the priesthood of Christ. 

Tom Schmidt