Daily Retreat 01/23/09
2009 Jan 23 Fri: Ordinary Weekday
Heb 8: 6-13/ Ps 84(85): 8 and 10. 11-12. 13-14/ Mk 3: 13-19
From today’s readings: “Now our high priest has obtained so much more excellent a ministry as He is mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises.... Kindness and truth shall meet.... He appointed Twelve, whom He also named Apostles, that they might be with Him and He might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons....”
The Old and the New
Many key passages of the New Testament (including today's first reading) reflect on the significance of the new covenant established by Jesus (particularly worthy of mention are the words of our Lord at the Last Supper, Luke 22:20). Hebrews 8:8 begins a long quotation from Jeremiah 31:31ff which explains why a new covenant was needed: not because of any deficiency or faithlessness on God's part, but because of the faithlessness of the people of the covenant.
Because of the gracious magnanimity and "better promises" of the new covenant, the Epistle to the Hebrews goes on to call the old covenant "obsolete." Especially here, as Christians, you and I need to carefully adhere to the precise teachings of scripture and not allow a misinterpretation to move us to dismiss the old testament as superfluous. Something that is obsolete is not necessarily useless.
For example, by coincidence, I am visiting a friend today and typing this virtual retreat reflection on his computer, which certainly can be considered "obsolete" (it's about ten years old). But it still works! I would certainly benefit if I had access to a better computer, but for the moment, I am grateful that this obsolete machine can still get the job done.
Paul mentions elsewhere that God's gift and call are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). Without a doubt then, God continues to sanctify and draw His people to salvation through means of the old covenant, which, even if "obsolete," remains a great blessing. However, since an even greater blessing is available in God's new covenant, we should avail ourselves of that and help others to do so as well!
Heb 8: 6-13/ Ps 84(85): 8 and 10. 11-12. 13-14/ Mk 3: 13-19
From today’s readings: “Now our high priest has obtained so much more excellent a ministry as He is mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises.... Kindness and truth shall meet.... He appointed Twelve, whom He also named Apostles, that they might be with Him and He might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons....”
The Old and the New
Many key passages of the New Testament (including today's first reading) reflect on the significance of the new covenant established by Jesus (particularly worthy of mention are the words of our Lord at the Last Supper, Luke 22:20). Hebrews 8:8 begins a long quotation from Jeremiah 31:31ff which explains why a new covenant was needed: not because of any deficiency or faithlessness on God's part, but because of the faithlessness of the people of the covenant.
Because of the gracious magnanimity and "better promises" of the new covenant, the Epistle to the Hebrews goes on to call the old covenant "obsolete." Especially here, as Christians, you and I need to carefully adhere to the precise teachings of scripture and not allow a misinterpretation to move us to dismiss the old testament as superfluous. Something that is obsolete is not necessarily useless.
For example, by coincidence, I am visiting a friend today and typing this virtual retreat reflection on his computer, which certainly can be considered "obsolete" (it's about ten years old). But it still works! I would certainly benefit if I had access to a better computer, but for the moment, I am grateful that this obsolete machine can still get the job done.
Paul mentions elsewhere that God's gift and call are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). Without a doubt then, God continues to sanctify and draw His people to salvation through means of the old covenant, which, even if "obsolete," remains a great blessing. However, since an even greater blessing is available in God's new covenant, we should avail ourselves of that and help others to do so as well!
posted by FrPitstick | 1/21/2009
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