The opening sentence, Hebrews 7:25, "Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them." is a reminder then and now that salvation comes to those who approach God through Jesus. His death as a man we know happened but we know he rose from his grave to be forever with the Father. Witness saw him die, put into a grave and then appear a number of times after his death. We also know from witness that there was a day with the Risen Christ ascended in the clouds to return to his Father.
His mission of bring people to the Father is his priestly role not just during his lifetime but forever in the kingdom of his Father. We know that priests, the Levitical priest as well as priests today, although different from Jesus the priest, daily offered and continue to offer, because of human sinfulness, sacrifice for the atonement of the sins. Today priests no longer offer animal sacrifices. Today the priests among us offer each day throughout the world re-enactment of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice, his death, is the sacrifice that forever atones for the sins of humankind. In his life on earth and within the eternal priesthood he bring us to the kingdom of God if we are open to his mandate that we follow the commandments.
For us today the Letter offers the opportunity to fill out in our minds and hearts what the Church has called for for almost 20 centuries. Perhaps looking at Jesus and his "forever giving vocation" of priesthood, we priests today may be reminded again of the purpose and sanctity we share with Jesus Christ in bring Other to God and God to others. Likewise, for those not ordained priests, this kind of reflection may stir up in your hearts the desire to pray for your priests that they, we, may grow in our realization of our unique vocation. At the same to the laity can also reflect on their role, their service to the Church and to the people of God.
Jesus priesthood was to be a forever sacrificing to bring salvation to humankind. The priesthood of the laity is to be a living sign of God's presence to the people in the world through accepting a way of life that chooses not to ignore the needy of temporal and spiritual goods around us.
And how does this picture impact your heart and soul today?
