With Christ: Sympathy + intercession = hope

		Living the Scriptures  with St. Paul University  Catholic Center  David Greenfield

The writer of Hebrews helps bring to light the reason we can trustingly "hold on to our confession." In this context "our confession" refers to our hope, our anticipation that we have in the Lord and His promises (rf. Hebrews 10:23).

This hope is ours because of Jesus Christ's "passing through the heavens," that is, because of His ascension, entrance, and royal seating at the Father's right hand.

However, it is not only Christ's eternal role of Heavenly High Priest the Scriptures call our attention to, it is also the character of Christ as He fulfills this role. "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as were are, yet without sin" (v.15).

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006) Is 53:10-11 Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 Heb 4:14-16 Mk 10:35-45

For us humans to truly sympathize with someone requires that we have observed their state of being, perhaps have experienced it ourselves, and that our whole being longs to alleviate the pain and difficulty our brother or sister is experiencing.

I recall when my parents passed away, everyone's words had consoling, reassuring elements to them, and I appreciated them so much. There was, however, something uniquely distinct in the expressions and faces of those who had lost their own mother or father. One could tell they, too, had experienced the exact same loss - the same feelings. They had walked that same path.

Such it is with our Lord and on an inestimable scale. Scripture reminds us we have a High Priest "who has been there" and "has walked in our shoes."

God became man and walked the same earth we walk. He saw suffering and suffered Himself (immeasurably so). He experienced all the same temptations we experience as we go through life.

But here's the really good news . . . He did it without sin! Therefore, He fully deserves the title "Son of God and Heavenly High Priest."

He is able to sympathize with us in our weakened state, and in the Heavenly Mass, draws all the angels, saints and His Blessed Mother to intercede on our behalf.

	Reflection questions • Christ's intercession for us is joined with His ability to relate, sympathize, and understand. How do we reflect this in our daily life? • When the situation calls for it, do we truly sympathize with others?

May it please God that as a third year seminarian studying for the priesthood, I may be able to make the most of the paths I have walked; that I may employ some of life's lessons and experiences when serving Christ and His Church.

I, too, hold fast to the "confession of hope" and encourage my Catholic sisters and brothers to do the same . . . for we have a Great and Heavenly High Priest!

David Greenfield was born and raised Protestant. He came home to Holy Mother Church several years ago. He is now a third year seminarian in Major Theology for the Diocese of Madison; he attends Blessed John XXIII National Seminary outside of Boston, Mass.

St. Paul's Web site is www.stpaulscc.org

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