St. Andrea Corsini in prayer
Guido Reni (1575–1642)
Uffizi Gallery. Florence
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (To the Greater Glory of God)
From: Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21
Religious Duties--Obeying Lawful Pastors; Religious Worship (Continuation)
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[15] Through him (Jesus) then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. [16] Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
[17] Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Epilogue
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[20] Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, [21] equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
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Commentary:
15-16. The text presupposes the Old Testament distinction between the "sin offering" and other offerings. The sin offering was made publicly on the great Day of Atonement. The other offerings, particularly those not involving the shedding of blood--first fruits, fruit and loaves, which the faithful present to God in thanksgiving and praise—were called "peace offerings", among which the most prominent was the "sacrifice of thanksgiving" (cf. Lev 7:12; Ps 50:14; 116:17).
In the New Testament the faithful, exercising their spiritual priesthood (cf. Rom 12:1; Heb 12;28), offer sacrifices acceptable to God--prayer (made by lips which confess God), good works, alms, etc.
Already, through the prophets, God had made it plain that he abhorred sacrifices which were merely external (cf. 1 Sam 15:22, Is 1:11-17; Jer 6:20; Amos 5:21-22): what he wanted was a pure and humble heart (cf. Is 58:6-8). Jesus said the same (cf. Mt 5:23-24; Mk 11:25; Lk 18:9-14). So, too, in the New Covenant, Christ wants all followers to exercise that priesthood which consists in doing good and offering to God all the little sacrifices each day involves: "Since he wishes to continue his witness and his serving through the laity also, the supreme and eternal priest, Christ Jesus, vivifies them with his spirit and ceaselessly impels them to accomplish every good and perfect work" (Vatican II, "Lumen Gentium", 34).
17-19. Emphasis is put here on the duty all Christians have to pray especially for those who are placed in authority over them.
"We owe two things to those who govern us in the spiritual sphere. First, obedience, to do what they tell us; and then reverence, to honor them like parents and accept the discipline they propose" (Chrysostom, "Hom. on Heb.", 13, 3).
"You are under an obligation to pray and sacrifice yourself for the person and intentions of whoever is 'in charge' of your apostolic undertaking. If you are careless in fulfilling this duty, you make me think that you lack enthusiasm for your way" (St J. Escriva, "The Way", 953).
20-21. The epistle ends in the same kind of way as the Pauline epistles do--with a doxology and some words of farewell. In these verses, "the God of peace" is invoked; he is the only one who can give true peace, decreeing that men should be reconciled to him through the action of Christ; and Jesus is described as "the great shepherd"; once more there is this paralleling the Exodus/Old Covenant with entry into heaven. Just as Moses brought the people of Israel into the promised land the way a shepherd leads his sheep (cf. Is 63:11), so Jesus Christ, the shepherd par excellence (cf. Jn 10:10-16; 1 Pet 2:25; 5:4), has led his sheep into the glory of heaven.
Verse 21 links Christian teaching on grace with man's response to that grace. Commenting on this passage St Thomas Aquinas explains that the words "equip you with everything good that you may do his will" is the same as saying "may God make you desire everything good", because it is God's will that we act of our own free will. If we did not act freely, our will would not be good; if we do God's will we will always be doing what is good for us (cf. "Commentary on Heb., ad loc."). God has disposed man's will to choose to do what is right. It is up to man to respond to God's design. In this sense, God "equips us with everything good that you may do his will".