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To whom was the Letter to the Hebrews addressed? Whatever else we can say about these "Hebrews", they obviously knew the Old Testament well. It is also clear that they were in need of spiritual encouragement and compassion. This need for compassionate understanding opens up the doctrine of the Letter for many of us. We may not be very conversant with the Old Testament, but we are conversant with the ordinary ups and downs of life. We frequently stand in need of encouragement. The best Christian remedy for discouragement is to return to Jesus - not simply to the words of Jesus, but to Jesus Himself. Even the most encouraging words may often fail to lift our spirits. The truth that we encounter in another person, however, particularly in the person of Jesus, can often bring comfort where mere words fail. "Surely he did not come to help angels, but rather the children of Abraham." We can almost see the writer smiling, gently and perhaps compassionately chiding the "Hebrews". Our existence might indeed be so much easier if we were angels. But we are not: we are children of Abraham, weak children of Adam and Eve. We need God's compassion, the compassion of the suffering Christ. Lord Jesus, when we are tried and tempted, come to us with Your great compassion. |
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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That Christians may favour the evangelisation of the new generations through the constant search for the unity wanted by Christ.
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The question of full Christian unity and evangelisation led to the beginnings of the ecumenical movement. The Holy Father decries the negative consequences of division among Christians and calls them to search for full Christian Unity as inspired by the Lord's Prayer. As evangelisers we must offer Christ's faithful an image of people who are mature in faith and capable of finding a meeting point beyond all tensions. The destiny of evangelisation is bound up with the witness of unity given to the Church. The urgency of preaching and displaying unity to the world arises from the fact that Christians can impair the vitality of proclaiming the Gospel and even become a scandal to the world, particularly when the churches appear to proclaim "a kingdom against itself". It is clear that the proclamation of the Gospel by divided Christians becomes counter- itness. As Christians we ought to give collaborative common witness which is founded in the common baptism in Christ and faith in the Triune God. Pray for the courage to work positively with other Christians for the purpose of promoting evangelisation. | |
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