The High Priesthood of Jesus

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

It is obvious that the author of the Letter to the Hebrews is intent on declaring that Jesus is the "eternal" High Priest. Much of the letter to the Hebrews is a explanation of how Jesus has merited this title. It is important that we understand the "why" behind this explanation.

Jesus was of the house of Judah (Matthew 1:2; Luke 3:33). The priesthood was handed down through birth. One needed to be of the house of Levi in order to take up this role. The high priest was chosen by ancestry rather than by choice or vocation. Undoubtedly, anyone making the claim that Jesus was to be regarded as the High Priest would have come in for criticism based upon his family lineage.

Consequently, the author takes great pains to show that Jesus is not an ontological high priest; rather he is a functional figure. Jesus gains the title by virtue of his actions rather than by virtue of his pedigree. Last week, his death and his ascension were compared to how the high priest won reconciliation for the people and for himself on the Feast of Atonement. This week we hear that he has the necessary human qualifications. All of this information is building up to a climax which we will read in the Sundays to come.

Jesus is our priest. He is also the victim of sacrifice. Finally he is the altar on which the sacrifice is offered. Most importantly, he has taken on our weakness so that he can experience our need for reconciliation in his very flesh although he never sinned.

Whenever I meditate on these verses from the Letter to the Hebrews, I am reminded of that wonderful old, American hymn, "What Wondrous Love is This."