The Eternal High Priest
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator
For the past few weeks, in addition to continuing our reading of the Gospel of St. Mark at the Sunday liturgy, we have also been reading the Letter to the Hebrews. Much of this text is dedicated to the exposition of the sacred author's belief that Jesus is the Eternal High Priest. Jesus was not of the House or Tribe of Levi and, therefore, was not technically eligible to serve as high priest or even as a Temple servant. However, the author goes to great lengths to show that Jesus was and is the last in the line of High Priests.
In the selection for today, the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, the author compares and contrasts Jesus and any of the many high priests who have gone before him. That comparison shows several points on which they differ.
- The high priests of old are were many. Jesus is the one.
- The high priests are impermanent; they die. Jesus, though he died, now lives forever and is eternal.
- The high priest offers sacrifice for his own sins as well as for others. Jesus is without sin.
- The high priests must repeatedly offer sacrifices. Jesus offered his sacrifice once for all.
- The high priests were appointed by Law. Jesus was appointed by God, his Father.
The comparison will continue in next week's reading from this Letter to the Hebrews. It should be pointed out that it is not the sacred author's intent to say that the high priests of old were not effective. Indeed, he makes the opposite point; they were effective ministers who made it possible for the Israelites to remain in relationship with their God. It is simply the point of the author that for those of us who place our faith in Jesus, we have no need of any other high priest and that Jesus is a far more effective High Priest. He has replaced the old with the new priesthood of a new covenant, a priesthood that is not connected to one's human pedigree, but rather is part of his very nature.
We are fortunate indeed to have such a high priest.
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