January 20, 2005 - Thursday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus Christ, Mediator, Healer

Readings:
Heb 7:25–8:6; Ps 40:7-8, 8-9, 10, 17 
Mk 3:7-12

Opening Prayer

God our Father,
through your Son Jesus Christ
you brought healing to your people
and came to bind us to you
in a lasting covenant of love.
May we not only admire his saving power
but accept him in faith as our brother,
your Son, our Lord and Savior.
Make him the ground and meaning of our lives
and fill us with his Holy Spirit,
that we may build up among us
your kingdom and a community
of faith, hope and love.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading Introduction

Christ Jesus is the mediator, perfect, unique, who offered himself once for all. All who believe in him get access to God through him. He intercedes for us. That is his ministry now.

First Reading: Heb 7:25–8:6

Consequently he is able to save for all time those who approach God through him. He always lives to intercede on their behalf.

It was fitting that our High Priest be holy, undefiled, set apart from sinners and exalted above the heavens; a priest who does not first need to offer sacrifice for himself before offering for the sins of the people, as high priests do. He offered himself in sacrifice once and for all. And whereas the Law elected weak men as high priests, now, after the Law, the word of God with an oath appointed the Son, made perfect forever.

The main point of what we are saying is that we have a high priest. He is seated at the right hand of the divine majesty in heaven, where he serves as minister of the true temple and sanctuary, set up not by any mortal but by the Lord.

A high priest is appointed to offer to God gifts and sacrifices, and Jesus also has to offer some sacrifice. Had he remained on earth, he would not be a priest, since others offer the gifts according to the Law. In fact, the ritual celebrated by those priests is only an imitation and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary. We know the word of God to Moses with regard to the construction of the holy tent. He said: You are to make everything according to the pattern shown to you on the mountain.

Now, however, Jesus enjoys a much higher ministry in being the mediator of a better covenant, founded on better promises.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 40:7-8, 8-9, 10, 17

R (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, "Behold I come."
R (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

"In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!"
R (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

May all who seek you
exult and be glad in you,
And may those who love your salvation
say ever, "The LORD be glorified."
R (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Gospel Introduction

In the gospel Mark gives a summary of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. Yesterday we heard how the Pharisees are blind to him and attack him on legal points; the crowds flock to him because of his healing power, not so much to be converted. The demons know who Jesus is, but, of course, they do not believe in him. Here we have different attitudes, but no faith yet. This is why perhaps Mark imposes silence on the spirits. We offer this eucharist together with Christ, our only Savior and Mediator, who always intercedes for us.

Gospel Reading: Mk 3:7-12

Jesus and his disciples withdrew to the lakeside and a large crowd from Galilee followed him. A great number of people also came from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, Transjordan and from the region of Tyre and Sidon, for they had heard of all that he was doing.

Because of the crowd, Jesus told his disciples to have a boat ready for him, to prevent the people from crushing him. He healed so many that all who had diseases kept pressing towards him to touch him. Even the people who had evil spirits, whenever they saw him, would fall down before him and cry out, "You are the Son of God."

But he warned them sternly not to tell anyone who he was.

GCommentary

JESUS leaves the synagogue and heads towards the lake where the crowds always gather, the un-churched, unbelievers or the lapsed and fringe folk. But they've heard and are heartened. Jesus gets into a boat and heals even as they seek to get to him. And those with evil spirits-those who are afflicted, in pain, struggling with their sin and failures, weakness and humanity-they know who he is-the Son of God. But he warns them to be quiet.

How is it that those who know evil know him and those who presume that they are religious do not know who he is or recognize his holiness? Does being self-righteous and hard of heart, of having an inflated opinion of ourselves and distancing ourselves from the human race of sinners blind us to goodness? And does that cause Jesus to walk away from us towards those who know their sin and their need for conversion?

General Intercessions

–          That many today may find Jesus and deeply believe in him, we pray:

–          That Jesus may touch the hearts of many and heal them from their selfishness, we pray:

–          That all the Churches that claim Christ as their head may find unity in him, even if the road is long and difficult, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

God our Father,
we offer you the sacrifice of Jesus Christ,
your Son and our Lord,
and our only mediator.
May he intercede for us, your people,
and bind us forever to you
in a covenant of lasting friendship and fidelity,
that we may belong to you
as the people you have saved
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

God our Father, in this eucharist
your Son Jesus has brought before you
our prayers, our good intentions,

and also our weakness, our hesitant faith.
Yet we are sure you accept us
because of him, our only priest and mediator.
Make our faith and love grow,
that your Son may be the Lord of our lives,
your saving presence,
and we your faithful people,
now and for ever.

Blessing

Many have heard about Jesus and his message. Yet some do not believe. The way we live should confirm our faith, even though faith is a free gift, a grace from God. May almighty God give you faith, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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