Access

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator

One of the most important aspects of power is "access." We see this played out in the world so vividly. Men and women will spend a great deal in order to have access to celebrities, be they celebrities of the arts or celebrities of politics. It has often been said that one of the more important facets of an education is the network of friends that one can establish in school. An education at an Ivy League college or university will bring with it a far more influential circle of friends than that which can be gained at a community or state college or university.

When we place our faith in Jesus, we gain access to the most important being there is – our benevolent and provident God. In the Letter to the Hebrews in today's passage from the Lectionary for Mass, we read: Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25). This is the role of the high priest. As the eternal high priest, Jesus lives to provide us with access to God. The access we lost when Adam sinned is regained through the sacrifice that Jesus, our high priest, offers on Calvary. We have, in effect, a direct line to God through Jesus.