Hebrews 10 and Mark 13: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Listen to the homily here.

Notes:

Apocalyptic readings today

·     Daniel

·     Jesus

·     Other places in the Bible

o   Ezekiel, James, Revelation

·     When I imagine the salvation plan from God, from the beginning of the Bible after Adam and Eve had the first sin, the story of salvation is through different genres—genealogies, poems, history, prophesying, narratives, parables and more

·     To me, some of these make sense

·     One part is tough for me…Apocalyptic = revelation

So today, instead of studying deeply into many apocalyptic of the images in the readings today, I would like to pull out two things that does make sense to me

First

·     Hebrews 10

o   “…this one offered one sacrifice for sins,and took his seat forever at the right hand of God;now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offeringhe has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.”

o   Within the scriptures, especially the Old Testament, priests had a job to offer sacrifices, slaughtering animals to offer to God for forgiveness

o   The challenge was, these priests had to do it, over and over and over

o   And so to us today—confession

o   But Jesus Christ gave one sacrifice in which we receive Jesus’ Body and Blood at Mass that is re-presented

Second

·     Mark 13

o   “Heaven and earth will pass away,but my words will not pass away.”

o   Our planet—earth—at some time will be gone

§  Now, probably in billions of years, but our planet is finite, like Jesus said

o   But what is a climax in this simple teaching from Jesus, his words will not pass away

o   Jesus Christ is THE Word, THE logos, THE priest, sacrifice and redemption

We are blessed, because we know the Saving Plan from God through the Bible

·     And we know the truth—that this salvation is open for everyone…who believes in Jesus Christ