Posted on 01/28/2013 9:58:22 PM PST by Salvation
From: Hebrews 10:1-10
The Sacrifices of the Old Covenant Could Not Take Away Sins
Christ’s Offering of Himself Has Infinite Value
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Commentary:
1. The sacred writer once more compares the Old Testament sacrifices with the
sacrifice of Christ (cf. 7:27; 9:9-10, 12-13), examining them now from the point of
view of their efficacy.
The Law is “a shadow”, that is, something without substance. The term used to
be employed by artists to describe the first sketch on a canvas, a bare outline be-
fore the application of color. Thus, the Old Law in relation to the New Testament
is like a first sketch as compared with the finished painting. However, because it
speaks of the New Testament as “the true form of these realities”, it allows us to
see the New Covenant as not yet giving possession of these “good things to
come”, but as being a kind of anticipation of them, a reflection of them. Yet it is
a true, a faithful, reflection, insofar as the New Law already has the power to for-
give sins and to link men with God through charity. “The New Law”, St Thomas
says, “represents the good things to come more clearly than does the Old. Firstly,
because in the words of the New Testament express mention is made of the good
things to come and the promise, whereas in the Old reference is made only to ma-
terial good things. Secondly, because the New Testament draws its strength from
charity, which is the fullness of the Law. And this charity, even if it be imperfect, is
similar to Christ’s charity by virtue of the faith to which it is joined. That is why the
new law is called the ‘law of love’. And that is also why it is called the ‘true form’,
because it has imprinted on it the image of the good things to come” (”Commen-
tary on Heb, ad loc.”).
Moreover, an image, to some degree at least, coincides with the reality it reflects:
Christ himself, for example, is the image of God. Therefore, “in Christ one already
possesses, in a permanent way, these good things of heaven—both the present
ones and the future ones” (”Chrysostom, Hom. on Heb, ad loc.”).
2-4. These verses repeat and complete what is said in v. 1 and in 9:12-13. “Tell
me, then, what is the point of having more victims and more sacrifices when a
single victim would suffice for atonement for sins [...]. Multiple sacrifices in effect
show that the Jews needed to atone for their sins because they had failed to find
forgiveness: it points to the inefficacy of the victims offered, rather than to their
power” (”Chrysostom, Hom. on Heb.”, 17). The ultimate reason for this inefficacy
is explained by a striking statement: “It is impossible that the blood of bulls and
goats should take away sins” (v. 4). There is here an echo of those proclamations
of the prophets which reminded the people that true purification comes not from
external actions but from conversion of heart (cf. Jer 2:22; 4:14; 11:15; Mic 6:7-8;
Ps 51:18-19; etc.).
And yet, is it not the case that the priests of the New Testament renew Jesus’s
sacrifice in the Mass everyday? St John Chrysostom answers: “Yes, that is true,
but not because we regard the original sacrifice, Christ’s sacrifice, as ineffective
or impotent. We priests repeat it to commemorate his death. We have but one
victim, Christ—not many victims [...]. There is but one and the same sacrifice [...],
one Christ whole and entire, here as elsewhere, the same everywhere the same
Christ on all the altars. Just as Jesus Christ, although offered in different places,
has only one body, so everywhere there is but one sacrifice [...]. What we do is
a commemoration of Christ’s offering, for at the Supper he said, ‘Do this in me-
mory of me.’ Therefore, we do not offer, as the high priest of the Law did, a new,
additional, victim: it is not one sacrifice more, but always the same one” (”Hom.
on Heb.”, 17).
The Mass “is the sacrifice of Christ, offered to the Father with the cooperation of
the Holy Spirit—an offering of infinite value, which perpetuates the work of the Re-
demption in us and surpasses the sacrifices of the Old Law. The holy Mass brings
us face to face with one of the central mysteries of our faith, because it is the gift
of the Blessed Trinity to the Church. It is because of this that we can consider the
Mass as the center and the source of a Christian’s spiritual life. It is the final end
of all the sacraments” (St. J. Escriva, “Christ Is Passing By”, 86-87).
5-10. This passage carries a quotation from Psalm 40:7-8, but one taken from the
Greek translation, the Septuagint, not from the Hebrew. Where the Hebrew says,
“thou hast opened my ears”, the Greek reads, “a body thou hast prepared for me”.
The difference is not substantial, because the Hebrew expression points to the
docility and obedience of the speaker, who is the Messiah himself. The Greek
translation gives the sentence a more general meaning: God has not only opened
the ears of the Messiah; he has given him life as a man (cf. Phil 2:7). The words
of this psalm “allow us as it were to sound the unfathomable depths of this self-
abasement of the Word, his humiliation of himself for love of men even to death
on the Cross [...]. Why this obedience, this self-abasement, this suffering? The
Creed gives us the answer: ‘for us men and for our salvation’ Jesus came down
from heaven so as to give man full entitlement to ascend (to heaven) and by be-
coming a son in the Son to regain the dignity he lost through sin [...]. Let us wel-
come Him. Let us say to him ‘Here I am; I have come to do your will”’ (John Paul
II, “General Audience”, 25 March 1981).
The author of the letter, elaborating on the text of the psalm, asserts that the
Messiah’s sacrifice is greater than the sacrifices of the Old Law, unbloody as
well as bloody, sin-offerings as well as burnt offerings as they were called in the
liturgy (cf. Lev 5:6; 7:27). The sacrifice of Christ, who has “come into the world”,
has replaced both kinds of ancient sacrifice. It consisted in perfectly doing the
will of his Father (cf. Jn 4:34; 6:38; 8:29; 14:31), even though he was required to
give his life to the point of dying on Calvary (Mt 26:42; Jn 10:18; Heb 5:7-9). Christ
“came into the world” to offer himself up to suffering and death for the redemption
of the world. “He knew that all the sacrifices of goats and bulls offered to God in
ancient times were incapable of making satisfaction for the sins of men; he knew
that a divine person was needed to do that [...]. My Father (Jesus Christ said), all
the victims offered you up to this are not enough and never will be enough to sa-
tisfy your justice; you gave me a body capable of experiencing suffering, so that
you might be placated by the shedding of my blood, and men thereby saved;
‘”ecce venio”, here I am, ready’; I accept everything and in all things do I submit
to your will. The lower part of his human nature naturally felt repugnance and re-
acted against living and dying in so much pain and opprobium, but its rational
part, which was fully subject to the Father’s will, had the upper hand; it accepted
everything, and therefore Jesus Christ began to suffer, from that point onwards,
all the anguish and pain which he would undergo in the course of his life. That is
how our divine Redeemer acted from the very first moments of his coming into
the world. So, how should we behave towards Jesus when, come to the use of
reason, we begin to know the sacred mysteries of Redemption through the light
of faith?” (St. Alphonsus, “Advent Meditations”, II, 5).
The psalm speaks of “the roll of the book”: this may refer to a specific book or
else to the Old Testament in general (cf. Lk 24:27; Jn 5:39, 46, 47).
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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
From: Mark 3:31-35
The True Kinsmen of Jesus
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Commentary:
31-35. In Aramaic, the language used by the Jews, the word “brethren” is a broad
term indicating kinship: nephews, first cousins, and relatives in general are called
‘brethren’ (for further explanation cf. note on Mark 6:1-3). “Jesus did not say this
to disown His mother, but to show that she is worthy of honor not only account of
having given birth to Jesus, but also because she has all the virtues” (Theophylact,
“Enarratio In Evangelium Marci, in loc.”).
Therefore, the Church reminds us that the Blessed Virgin “in the course of her
Son’s preaching received the words whereby, in extolling a kingdom beyond the
concerns and ties of flesh and blood, He declared blessed those who heard and
kept the word of God as she was faithfully doing” (Vatican II, “Lumen Gentium”,
58).
Our Lord, then, is also telling us that if we follow Him we will share His life more
intimately than if we were a member of His family. St.Thomas explains this by
saying that Christ “had an eternal generation and a generation in time, and gave
preference to the former. Those who do the will of the Father reach Him by Hea-
venly generation [...]. Everyone who does the will of the Father, that is to say,
who obeys Him, is a brother or sister of Christ, because he is like Him who ful-
filled the will of His Father. But he who not only obeys but converts others, be-
gets Christ in them, and thus becomes like the Mother of Christ” (”Commentary
on St. Matthew”, 12, 49-50.)
*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
First reading | Hebrews 10:1-10 © |
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Psalm | Psalm 39:2,4,7-8,10,11 © |
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Gospel Acclamation | Ps118:135 |
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Or | Mt11:25 |
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Gospel | Mark 3:31-35 © |
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The following is the longer version of the vital prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 after his startling vision as to the future of the Church. This prayer was dedicated for the Feast of St. Michael 1448 years from the date of the election of the first Leo - Pope Saint Leo the Great. Everyone is familiar with the first prayer below which was mandated by His Holiness as part of the Leonine Prayers after Low Mass. Below are both the short and longer versions of this poignant prayer which should never be forgotten.
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray, and do thou, O heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
O glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be our defense in the terrible warfare which we carry on against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, spirits of evil. Come to the aid of man, whom God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil. Fight this day the battle of our Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in heaven. That cruel, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay, and cast into eternal perdition, souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. That wicked dragon pours out. as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity. These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on Her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck the sheep may be scattered. Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious powers of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.
R: The Lion of the Tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David. V: Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord. R: As we have hoped in Thee. V: O Lord hear my prayer. R: And let my cry come unto Thee. V: Let us pray. O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy Name, and as suppliants, we implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin, immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of our souls. Amen. Look down upon me, O good and gentle Jesus, while before Thy face I humbly kneel, and with burning soul pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment; the while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Thy five most precious wounds, pondering over them within me, calling to mind the words which David Thy prophet said of Thee, my good Jesus: "They have pierced My hands and My feet; they have numbered all My bones." Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
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We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.
Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.
Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.
Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.
Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.
Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.
O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.
Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests
This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.
The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.
Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem. He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.
St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.
1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. The Apostles Creed: II BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)
5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.
Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.
End with the Hail Holy Queen:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Final step -- The Sign of the Cross
The Mysteries of the Rosary
By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary.
The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.
St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
Cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen
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From an Obama bumper sticker on a car:
"Pray for Obama. Psalm 109:8"
PLEASE JOIN US -
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Luke 2:21 "...Et vocatum est Nomen eius IESUS"
("And His Name was called JESUS")
Psalm 90:14 "Because he hoped in me I will deliver him:
I will protect him because he hath known My Name."
Zacharias 10:12 "I will strengthen them in the Lord,
and they shall walk in His Name, saith the Lord."
Apocalypse 3:8 "I know thy works. Behold, I have given before thee a door opened, which no man can shut: because thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied My Name."
Apocalypse 15:4 "Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and magnify Thy Name?..."
Blessed be the most holy Name of Jesus without end!
The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. This feast is also celebrated on January 3. Here is an explanation of the devotion.
Since the 16th century Catholic piety has associated entire months to special devotions. The devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus has been traditionally associated with the month of January, due to its celebration on January 3. The name Jesus was given to the Holy Child at God's command (Luke 1:31). The Holy Name is all-powerful because of the Person who bears it; we honor it because of the command of Christ, that we should pray in His Name and because it reminds us of all the blessings we receive through our Holy Redeemer. Hence St. Paul was able to write to the Philippians: ". . . at the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth" (Phil. 2:10). By means of this devotion we also make amends for improper use of the Holy Name.
Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954
Prayer/Hymn in Honor of the Most Holy Name of Jesus - Iesu, Dulcis Memoria
Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast!
Yet sweeter far Thy face to see
And in Thy presence rest.
No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find,
A sweeter sound than Jesus' name,
The Savior of mankind.
O hope of every contrite heart!
0 joy of all the meek!
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!
But what to those who find? Ah! this
Nor tongue nor pen can show
The love of Jesus, what it is,
None but His loved ones know.
Jesus! our only hope be Thou,
As Thou our prize shalt be;
In Thee be all our glory now,
And through eternity. Amen.
---Roman Breviary
Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954
O Divine Jesus, Thou hast promised that anything we ask of the Eternal Father in Thy name shall be granted.
O Eternal Father. In the name of Jesus, for the love of Jesus, in fulfillment of this promise, and because Jesus has said it, grant us our petitions for the sake of Jesus, Thy Divine Son. Amen.
Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954
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JANUARY, 2013, Intentions of the Holy Father
The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 Weekday |
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Just A Minute (Listen) Some of EWTN's most popular hosts and guests in a collection of one minute inspirational messages. A different message each time you click. |
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The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Amen. |
Feast Day: | January 24 |
Born: |
516, traditionally Strathclyde in modern Scotland |
Died: | 570, Street, Somerset or Rhuys |
Major Shrine: | Glastonbury Abbey, now destroyed, or Rhuys Church, extant. |
Patron of: | Welsh historians; bell founders |
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