Hebrews, Chapter 2, Verse 14-15
14 Now since the children
share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them, that through death he
might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who
through fear of death had been
subject to slavery all their life.
The devil is the author of
fear. The opposite of fear is not bravery but love. Christ showed his love for
us by breaking the power of the devil by overcoming death. He showed us His love by sharing our human
nature. He asks us in today’s gospel to love as He loved. ”I give you a new
commandment: love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34) Christ
therefore restores Gods original intend to give man life eternal and voiding the
death that the devil had brought into the world.
The fear
of death is a fear based on the false conception that death marks the
end of a person’s kindred with God. Jesus deliberately allied himself with us in
order to be a merciful and faithful high priest in our
behalf; expiating our sins as one who experienced the
same tests as we.
We usually give in to our
sinfulness when we are Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired (HALT). To halt sinful
behaviors we must practice acts of love so that when we are hungry let us give
food to the hungry; when we are angry let us remember to secure justice for the
oppressed; when we are lonely let us remember to keep faith with our brethren;
and when we are tired let us take up the yoke of Christ; for his yoke is easy
and his burden is light.
Ponder this day if the Lord is calling you to the Priesthood or the religious life.
Comments
Post a Comment