Au In the beginning was the Word
 

1. -      Due to several reasons, the problem of the priesthood is crucial for the first Christians. In first place, Jesus was a layman prophet (Lk 24, 19-20); in second place, the high priests condemned him to death and they crucified him; besides, the evangels, the Acts and the letters never called priest to Jesus, and neither did his disciples. But the priesthood had a function in the Scriptures. What, then, should the Christians do?, should they form communities without priests?, are all of them priests?, is Christ a priest?, how?. Under this context, the Letter to the Hebrews calls him high priest (Hb 3, 1), announces the surmounting of the old priesthood and it gives the key of Jesus´ new priesthood: Here I am, to do your will (10, 7)

2. - More than a letter, it is a catechesis, the most ancient and the best catechesis about Christ. It is addressed to the Hebrews, Jews who had become Christians, but who forget fundamental aspects and, perhaps, yearn for the old ceremonies. The Eastern Church (the western one, later on) attributes the letter to Paul. It is, seemingly, Paul who writes (briefly) a final note, reports about Timothy and sends greetings from Italy (13, 22-25). But the author can be another one; for instance, Apollo, a Jewish born in Alexandria, eloquent and versed in the Scriptures (Acts 18, 24). Date of writing: before the destruction of the temple (70 A.D.), since the letter talks about its liturgy like of something present (Hb 8, 4-5; 13, 10)

3. - To begin with, the name which Christ has inherited: God has spoken in the past to our fathers through the prophets, in many different ways. But in our times he has spoken definitively through his Son, to whom God has appointed heir of every thing . Sitting down at the right of God, he is not another angel, he is the Son , so he has a superiority as much higher as much superior is the name he has inherited(1, 1-4; see Lk 20, 36). So it is in effect, to which angel he ever said : You are my son. This day I have begotten you (Psalm 2)?; and also : I will be a father for him and he will be a son for me? (1 S 2, 7-14). And again when introducing his first-born in the world he says: Worship him all of the angels of God (Dt 32, 43. And to which angel he ever said : Sit at my right hand, till I make your foes your footstool? (Psalm 110). The angels are server spirits, they attend to those who will inherit the salvation? (Hb 1, 5-13).
4. -      First warning: We must pay the closest attention to the preaching we heard, lest we drift away (2, 1), the message has been confirmed by signs, wonders and miracles (2, 3-4). God did not submit the coming world to the angels…  Since someone testified in some place: What is man that you should be mindful of him? Or the son of man that you should care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the angels, you have crowned him with glory and honour. You have put all things under his feet (Psalm 8). When it is said that God gave him dominion over all things, nothing is excluded. As it is, we do not yet see his dominion over all things. But the one that for a while was placed a little lower than the angels, Jesus, has been crowned with honour and glory. For the merciful plan of God demanded that he experience death on behalf of everyone. (Hb 2, 5-9).

5. -      Jesus is the Son of God (1, 5-14) and brother of men (2, 5-18): God, from whom all comes and by whom all things exist, wanted to bring to glory a great number of sons, and he thought it fitting to make perfect through suffering  the initiator of their salvation. So he who gives and those who receive holiness are one. He himself is not ashamed of calling us brothers as we read: Lord, I will proclaim our name to my brothers; I will praise you in the congregation. (Psalm 22). An also: I will trust in God (Is 8, 17). And finally: Here we are, myself and the children that God gave me (Is 8, 18). Sharing our condition, he could free those who remained in bondage all their lifetime because of the fear of death; Jesus came to take by the hand not the angels but the human race. So he had to be like his brothers in every respect, in order to be the high priest faithful to God and merciful to them, a priest able to ask pardon and atone for their sins. Having been tested through suffering, he is able to help those who are tested. (Hb 2, 10-18).

6. -      Urgent exhortation: So, holy brothers, called to a supernatural vocation, consider Jesus, the apostle and High Priest of our faith. He is faithful to God who appointed him, just as Moses was a faithful steward over God´s household. But Jesus deserves much greater honour than Moses. Moses was found faithful as a servant of God, Jesus came as the Son. So that, if you listen his voice, do not be stubborn (Psalm 95), be careful lest some of you come to have an evil and unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. (Hb 3, 1-12), for the Word of God is living and effective… all creation is transparent to Him; everything is uncovered and lay bare to the eyes of Him to whom we render account. We have a great High priest, Jesus, the Son of God, who has entered heaven. Let’s, then, hold fast to the faith we profess. Our High Priest is not indifferent to our weakness, for he has been tempted on ever way just as we are, yet without sin. Let us, then, with confident approach God, the giver of grace; we will obtain mercy and through his favour, help in due time (4, 12-16).

7. -      Jesus is high priest in similarity with  Melchisedek: Every High Priest is taken from among men and appointed to be their representative before God It falls to him to offer gifts and sacrifices for sin… One does not take upon himself this dignity, but he has to be called by God. Nor did Christ become High Priest in taking upon himself this dignity, but it was given to him by the One who says: You are my son; I have begotten you today (Psalm 2). And in another place: You are a priest forever in the priestly order of Melchisedek (Psalm 110). Christ, in the days of his mortal life, offered his sacrifice with tears and cries. He prayed to him who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his humble submission. Although he was Son, he learned through suffering what obedience was, and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for those who obey him. This is how God proclaimed him Priest in the order of Melchisedek. (Hb 5, 1-10).

8. -      A new warning: About this we have much to say, but it is difficult to explain, for you have become dull in understanding. You should be teachers by this time, but, in fact, you need to be taught again the basic elements of God´s teaching. (5, 11-12)

9. -            Melchisedek priesthood is superior to the Leviticus one. Melchisedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, came out to meet Abraham who returned from defeating the kings. He blessed Abraham and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything… there is no mention of father, mother or genealogy; nothing is said about the beginning or the end of his life. In this he is the figure of the Son of God, the priest who remains forever. See then how great Melchisedek was. Even Abraham gave him a tenth of the spoils! … And, in some way, even Levi himself who receives the tenths, paid them by means of Abraham, since he already was in the body of Abraham his ancestor, when Melchisedek met him (7, 1-10).

10. -    The Leviticus priesthood in imperfect, useless, must disappear. If perfection were in the Leviticus priesthood… why would there be need of another priest after the order of Melchisedek? Jesus, to whom all this has reference, was from a tribe that never served at the altar… All this, however, becomes clear if this priest after the likeness of Melchisedek has in fact received this mission, not on the basis of any human law, but by the power of an immortal life. Because Scripture says: You are a priest forever in the priestly order of Melchisedek. With this the former disposition is removed as insufficient and useless, for the Law did not bring anything to perfection, and, at the same time a better hope is given to us. (7, 11 – 19).

11. -    Jesus is priest under God´s oath: The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind. He is, besides, a priest forever: The former priests were many since, as mortal men, they could not remain in office. But Jesus remains forever and the priesthood shall not be taken from him. Consequently he is able to save for all time those who approach God through him, since he is always ready to intercede on their behalf. (7, 20 – 25). Our High Priest is: holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners and exalted above the heavens; he does not first need to offer sacrifice for himself before offering for the sins of the people. He offered himself in sacrifice once and for all. (7, 26 – 27). This is the capital point of all we keep saying: We have a High Priest who 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 men but by the Lord (8, 1 – 2).

12. -    Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant, written, not in stone tables, but on the hearts: A High Priest is appointed to offer to God gifts and sacrifices, and Jesus also had 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 supernatural ritual. … Now, however, Jesus enjoys a much higher ministry in being the mediator of a better covenant… If all had been perfect in the first covenant, there would have been no need for another one. Yet God sees defects when he says: I will draw up a new covenant with the people of Israel and the people of Judah (Jr 31, 31-34). Here we are being told a new covenant; which means that the firs one had become obsolete. (Hb 8, 3-13)

13. -    Jesus is priest of a better temple. The first covenant has its rites and its temple. But distance to God is enormous. People do not have the required sanctity to approach God (see Ex 19, 12). That is the reason to select one tribe, one family, one priest. The priest stays apart of the people by a consecration: a bath, an unction, some dresses, some sacrifices (Ex 29; Lv 9). Besides, God is met neither in any place, nor in any moment, but in a sacred place (forbidden to the people) and in certain sacred moments. The priest follows a ritual and makes some sacred ceremonies (sacrifice). Here is a teaching by means of figures for the present age: the gifts and sacrifices presented to God cannot bring the people offering them to interior perfection. These are no more than food, drink and different kinds of cleansing by water… But Christ is high priest with regard to the good things of these new times. He passed through a sanctuary more noble and perfect, not made by hands, that is, not created. He did not take with himself the blood of goats and bulls but his own blood, when he entered once and for all into this sanctuary. (Hb 9, 1- 12; see Mt 26, 28).

14. -    The old worship cannot give the perfection: Never will the blood of bulls and goats take away these sins. This is why on entering the world Christ says: You did not desire sacrifice and offering but you prepared me a body… Then I said: Here I am… I will do your will, O God. (Psalm 40)… This is enough to nullify the first will and to establish the new one. (Hb 10, 1-9). Every priest offers daily the same sacrifices that can never take away sin. But Christ, having offered for the sins a unique sacrifice, seated for ever at the right hand of God. By a single sacrifice he has brought those who are sanctified to what is perfect for ever. The spirit gives evidence of it: This is the covenant I shall make with Israel, says the Lord. I will put my Law within them and write it on their hearts… and I no longer will remember their sin (Jr 31, 31-34). So, if sins are forgiven, there is no longer need of any sacrifice for sin. (Hb 10, 11-18). Everything changes with Christ. Former barriers are eliminated. Jesus opens a new and alive way (10, 20), shares his mission, and associates the people to his priesthood. The new temple is Christ´s resurrected body. (Jn 2, 19- 21).

15. -    A new exhortation: Let us approach with a sincere heart, with full faith, interiorly cleansed… Let us hold fast to our hope… Let us consider how we may spur one another to love and good works. Do not abandon the assemblies as some of you do… Remember the first days when you were enlightened. You had to undergo a hard struggle in the face of suffering. Publicly you were exposed to humiliations and trials and to share the sufferings of others who were similarly treated. You showed solidarity with those in prison; you were dispossessed of your goods and accepted it gladly for you knew you were acquiring a much better and more durable possession. Be patient in doing the will of God, and the promise will be yours. A little, a little longer – says Scripture – and he who is coming will come without delay. My righteous one will live if he believes (Hb 10, 22 – 38; Is 26, 20; Ha 2, 3 – 4).

16. -    Faith is fundamental, it is the way of holding onto what we hope for, being certain of what we cannot see: By faith we understand that the stages of creation were disposed by God´s word… Because of Abel’s faith his offering was more acceptable than that of his brother Cain; because of his faith he cried to God, even after he died… By faith Noah was instructed of events which could not yet be seen and, heeding what he heard, he built a boat in which to save his family… It was by faith that Abraham, called by God, set out for a country that would be given to him as an inheritance… By faith Sarah herself received power to become a mother, in spite of her advanced age… By faith Moses … left Egypt without fearing the king’s anger, and he persevered as if he could see another invisible wrath… There is not enough time to speak of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets. Through faith the fought and conquered nations, established justice… Some were persecuted and tortured, refusing to do what would have saved them. Others suffered strokes and taunts, and even chains and prison; Stoned, tortured, sawn in two, killed by the sword; they fled from place to place (Hb 11, 1 – 37).

17. -    So that, surrounded by a large number of witness, let us be rid of every encumbrance, and especially of sin, to persevere in running the race marked out before us. Let us look to Jesus the founder of our faith, who will bring it to completion. For the sake of the joy reserved for him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and then sat at the right of the throne of God… Have you already shed your blood in the struggle against sin? Do not forget the comforting words that Wisdom addresses to you as children (Pr 3, 11 – 12), what you endure is in order to correct you; God treats you like sons (Dt 8, 5). All correction is painful at the moment, rather than pleasant, but later on it brings the fruit of peace (Hb 12, 1 – 11), lift up your dropping hands (Is 35, 3), make level the ways for your feet (Pr 4, 26), bring peace with everybody (Psalm 34), that nobody turns away from Yahweh, that no poisonous and bitter plants sprout among you (Dt 29, 17), let no one be immoral or irreligious like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal (Gn 25, 33).

18. -    You did not approach to a sensible reality: fire, shadows, hurricane, blast of trumpets(Ex 19, 16). But you came near to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem with its innumerable angels. You have come to the solemn feast, the assembly of the first born of God whose names are written in Heaven. There is god, Judge of all, with the spirits of the upright brought to perfection. There is Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, with the sprinkled blood that cries out more effectively than Abel’s. Be careful not to reject God when he speaks… His voice then shook the earth. But now he says: In this last time I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens (Ex 19, 18). Let us, then, be grateful and offer to God worship pleasant to him (Hb 12, 14 – 29; Dt 4, 24). We are a kingdom of priests (Ex 19, 6; 1P 2, 9; Ap 1, 6; see LG 26 y 10). All of us have participation: there is no longer any difference between Jew and Greek, or between slave and freedman, or between man and woman (Ga 3, 29)

19. -    Some applications: Preserve brotherly love. Do not neglect to offer hospitality; you know that some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember prisoners as if your were with them in chains… Marriage must be respected by all and husband and wife faithful to each other. God will punish the immoral and the adulterous. Do not depend on money. Be content with having enough for today… Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God… Do not neglect good works and common life, for these are sacrifices pleasant to God. Obey your leaders… Pray for us… so that I may be given back to you the sooner. May God give you peace… He will train you in every good work, that you may do his will… through Jesus Christ, to whom all glory be for ever and ever. Amen (Hb 13, 1 – 21).

 

* Dialogue: Is it the best catechesis about Christ?

the name that Christ has inherited is necessary
He is not another angel, another messenger, he is the son
That who was made inferior, now he is superior
Son of God and brother of men
At the head of the house, like Moses, Jesus like son
Jesus is high priest at Melchisedek resemblance
The Leviticus priesthood is useless, it must disappear
God has sworn it in, priest for ever
Mediator of the new covenant
Priest for a better temple
You did not desire sacrifices, here I am to do your will
A worship pleasant to God
Some applications