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Introduction to Hebrews[1]
As early as the second century, this treatise, which is of great
rhetorical power and force in its admonition to faithful pilgrimage under
Christ’s leadership, bore the title “To the Hebrews.” It was assumed to be
directed to Jewish Christians. Usually Hebrews was attached in Greek
manuscripts to the collection of letters by Paul. The main theme is the
priesthood and sacrifice of Jesus as a means of restoring their lost fervor and
strengthening them in their faith. Another important theme of the letter is
that of the pilgrimage of the people of God to the heavenly Jerusalem. This
theme is intimately connected with that of Jesus’ ministry in the heavenly
sanctuary. This work is a “message of encouragement”. Hebrews is probably
therefore a written homily, to which the author gave an epistolary ending. The
author begins with a reminder of the preexistence, incarnation, and exaltation
of Jesus that proclaimed him the climax of God’s word to humanity. He dwells
upon the dignity of the person of Christ, superior to the angels. Christ is
God’s final word of salvation communicated not merely by word but through his
suffering in the humanity common to him and to all others. This enactment of
salvation went beyond the pattern known to Moses, faithful prophet of God’s
word though he was, for Jesus as high priest expiated sin and was faithful to
God with the faithfulness of God’s own Son. Just as the infidelity of the
people thwarted Moses’ efforts to save them, so the infidelity of any Christian
may thwart God’s plan in Christ. Christians are to reflect that it is their
humanity that Jesus took upon himself, with all its defects save sinfulness,
and that he bore the burden of it until death out of obedience to God. God
declared this work of his Son to be the cause of salvation for all. Although
Christians recognize this fundamental teaching, they may grow weary of it and
of its implications, and therefore require other reflections to stimulate their
faith. Therefore, the author presents to the readers for their reflection the
everlasting priesthood of Christ, a priesthood that fulfills the promise of the
Old Testament. It also provides the meaning God ultimately intended in the
sacrifices of the Old Testament: these pointed to the unique sacrifice of
Christ, which alone obtains forgiveness of sins. The trial of faith experienced
by the readers should resolve itself through their consideration of Christ’s
ministry in the heavenly sanctuary and his perpetual intercession there on
their behalf. They should also be strengthened by the assurance of his
foreordained parousia, and by the fruits of faith that they have already enjoyed.
It is in the nature of faith to recognize the reality of what is not yet seen
and is the object of hope, and the saints of the Old Testament give striking
example of that faith. The perseverance to which the author exhorts the readers
is shown forth in the earthly life of Jesus. Despite the afflictions of his
ministry and the supreme trial of his suffering and death, he remained
confident of the triumph that God would bring him. The difficulties of human
life have meaning when they are accepted as God’s discipline, and if Christians
persevere in fidelity to the word in which they have believed, they are assured
of possessing forever the unshakable kingdom of God. The letter concludes with
specific moral commandments, in the course of which the author recalls again
his central theme of the sacrifice of Jesus and the courage needed to associate
oneself with it in faith.
Hebrews offers Catholics a profound theology of fear—not as something to
be avoided outright, but as something to be transformed. It distinguishes
between godly fear, which leads to reverence and obedience, and fear
of judgment, which can paralyze or cause spiritual retreat. Here are the
key lessons:
🙏 1. Godly Fear
Leads to Obedience
“Jesus offered up prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears…
and he was heard for his godly fear.” (Hebrews 5:7)
- Jesus models reverent fear—a deep awe before the Father that leads
to surrender, not avoidance.
- Catholics are invited to cultivate this fear as a pathway to trust
and obedience, especially in suffering.
⚖️ 2. Fear of Judgment Is
Real—but Not Final
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
(Hebrews 10:31)
- Hebrews warns against willful sin and spiritual complacency.
- This fear is not meant to crush, but to awaken urgency and rekindle
fidelity to Christ’s sacrifice.
🕊️ 3. Christ Frees
Us from the Fear of Death
“He destroyed the one who has the power of death… and freed those who
were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14–15)
- Through his death and resurrection, Jesus liberates us from
existential fear.
- Catholics are called to live in hope, not dread—anchored in the
promise of eternal life.
🛡️ 4. Faith
Overcomes Fear
“We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who
have faith and preserve their souls.” (Hebrews 10:39)
- Fear tempts us to shrink back, but faith empowers us to press
forward.
- The saints of Hebrews 11 are examples of courageous trust in unseen
promises.
🔥 5. Discipline Is
Not Punishment, But Love
“Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord… for the Lord
disciplines the one he loves.” (Hebrews 12:5–6)
- Fear of suffering is reframed as spiritual training.
- Catholics are encouraged to see trials as God’s loving formation,
not rejection.
Vinny’s Corner
30 DAY TRIBUTE TO MARY 23rd ROSE: Resurrection of Jesus
o 30 Days of Women and Herbs – Frauendreissiger
§ Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria)
MEDICINAL PLANTS Day 23 HOUSEHOLD PROTECTION-Revealed by Heaven to Luz De María
EUCALYPTUS Scientific name: Eucalyptus Family: Myrtaceae
Purifies the air and cleans the environment. It has the following property: Purifies the air and cleans the environment.
The plague is approaching and continue to use the Oil of the Good Samaritan, Eucalyptus leaves inside the homes, burning the leaves when necessary. Saint Michael the Archangel, 12.15.2020
How to celebrate Sep 6th
· Start your day by giving yourself permission to relax. Whether it’s reading a book, enjoying coffee ice cream, or savoring a glass of Chianti, take the time to unwind. Use the opportunity to be kind to yourself on National Lazy Mom’s Day and Fight Procrastination Day.
· Next, focus on others by acknowledging National Food Bank Day. Donate non-perishable items to your local food bank or volunteer your time. Bring this spirit to work on Bring Your Manners To Work Day. Show appreciation to your colleagues and practice good workplace etiquette.
· After work, celebrate National Read a Book Day by picking up a book you’ve been meaning to read. Enhance your awareness by participating in National Color Blind Awareness Day. Educate yourself on color blindness and promote inclusivity.
· Cap off the day by indulging in a delicious dessert like coffee ice cream. On National Coffee Ice Cream Day, treat yourself to a scoop or two. Reflect on the qualities of perseverance and hard work on Labour Day.
· By blending relaxation, kindness, learning, and indulgence, you can create a balanced and fulfilling day that honors the unique themes of these weird national holidays.
SEPTEMBER 6 First Saturday
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.
On today’s date science by the use of a heart and lung transplant was able to save the life of Jamie Gavin who was recorded as the youngest transplant patient.
Jamie Gavin[2]
Jamie Gavin made headlines worldwide in 1985 when he became the world's youngest heart and lung transplant patient in Harefield hospital, Middlesex. Jamie's surgery was regarded as a success and he returned to Dublin to his brother John and his three sisters Leslie, Katie and Melanie. He was able to live a normal life to a certain extent and attended school with his friends, despite having to regularly return to England for tests and checkups, as well Crumlin hospital in Dublin. The bravery of Jamie was recognized a year after his surgery when Princess Diana presented him with a child of courage award. Tragedy struck the household when Jamie passed away from lymphoma at the age of 11.
Science is a great gift to mankind, yet it does
not erase the fear of death; only Christ can do this. In fact, we are engaged
in a great spiritual battle where our fears are the very chains that enslave
us.
Napoleon Hill writes in his tale “Outwitting the Devil”[3] his thoughts on fear during an imaginary interview with the devil to obtain his secrets.
Q. Go ahead and describe your clever tricks, Your Majesty.
A. One of my cleverest devices for mind control is fear. I plant the seed of fear in the minds of people, and as these seeds germinate and grow, through use, I control the space they occupy. The six most effective fears are the fear of poverty, criticism, ill health, loss of love, old age, and death.
Q. Which of these six fears serves you most often, your majesty
A. The first and the last-poverty and death! At one time or another during life I tighten my grip on all people through one or both of these. I plant these fears in the minds of people so deftly that they believe them to be their own creation. I accomplish his end by making people believe I am standing just beyond the entrance gate of the next life, waiting to claim them after death for eternal punishment. Of course, I cannot punish anyone, except in that person's own mind, through some form of fear-but fear of the thing which does not exist is just as useful to me as fear of that which does exist. All forms of fear extend the space I occupy in the human mind.
Although Napoleon thoughts may not be theologically correct; he still makes a strong case as does our God that fear is the root of sin.
Copilot’s Take
On this First Saturday, the
reminder from Hebrews 2:14–15 pierces through the fog of delay and dread: Christ
shared in our flesh to destroy the power of death and free us from lifelong
slavery to fear. Jamie Gavin’s story, though marked by suffering, radiates
the courage that science alone cannot give. His life was a testament to
hope—not just in medicine, but in meaning. Napoleon Hill’s fictional devil may
exaggerate, but he’s not wrong about fear’s grip. Whether it’s fear of poverty,
criticism, or death itself, these shadows thrive in procrastination. But Christ
has shattered the illusion. Today is No Procrastination Day—not just for tasks,
but for trust. Let us act, love, and pray with urgency, knowing that fear no
longer owns us. The kingdom is unshakable, and the time is now.
First Saturday Devotion[4]
Five
consecutive Saturdays in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
The
practice of the First Saturday devotion was requested by Our
Lady of Fatima,
who appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, multiple times
starting in 1917. She said to Lucia, the oldest of the three children: “I shall
come to ask . . . that on the First Saturday of every month, Communions of
reparation be made in atonement for the sins of the world.” Years later she
repeated her request to Sr. Lucia, the only one still living of the three young
Fatima seers, while she was a postulant sister living in a convent in Spain:
“Look, my daughter, at my Heart, surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful
men pierce me at very moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You at least
try to console me, and say that I promise to assist at the hour of death,
with the graces necessary for salvation, all those who, on the first Saturday
of five consecutive months, shall confess, receive Holy Communion, recite five
decades of the rosary, and keep me company for 15 minutes while meditating on
the 15 mysteries of the rosary, with the intention of making reparation to
me.”
Conditions
to Fulfill the First Saturday Devotion
There
are five requirements to obtain this promise from the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
On five consecutive first Saturdays of the month, one should:
1.
Have the intention of consoling the Immaculate Heart in a spirit of reparation.
2.
Go to confession (within eight days before or after the first Saturday).
3.
Receive Holy Communion.
4.
Say five decades of the Holy Rosary.
5.
Meditate for 15 minutes on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary with
the goal of keeping Our Lady company (for example, while in church or before an
image or statue of Our Lady).
Read How to Make Your First Saturday Rosary Meditation
According to Sr. Lucia
Why
Five Saturdays?
Our
Lord appeared to Sr. Lucia on May 29, 1930 and gave her the reason behind the
five Saturdays devotion. It is because there are five types of offenses and
blasphemies committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary:
1.
Blasphemies against the Immaculate Conception
2.
Blasphemies against Our Lady’s perpetual virginity
3.
Blasphemies against her divine maternity, in refusing at the same time to
recognize her as the Mother of men
4.
Blasphemies of those who publicly seek to sow in the hearts of children,
indifference or scorn or even hatred of their Immaculate Mother
5.
Offenses of those who outrage Our Lady directly in her holy images
Never
think that Jesus is indifferent to whether or not His mother is honored!
Bible in a Year Day 78 The Song of Moses
In today's readings, we
trace the route of the Israelites in Numbers and hear the song of Moses in
Deuteronomy. Fr. Mike reflects on a hard lesson from these passages; that God
will allow us to choose something other than him, even though it hurts us. The
readings are Numbers 33, Deuteronomy 32, and Psalm 118.
Fight Procrastination Day[5]
“I never put off till tomorrow what I can possibly do — the day after.” ― Oscar Wilde
Procrastination can really be the bane of our existence,
with another day coming around the corner, there’s no real reason that we can’t
put it off till tomorrow is there? Of course not, and tomorrow has another
tomorrow, so let’s do it again! It is by this way of thinking that absolutely
nothing gets done, and we know good and well that procrastination is us out to
get ourselves. But what can we do? Fight Procrastination Day reminds us that
it’s up to us to beat this monster, and only we can decide to get up and get
done today what was supposed to be done.
History of Fight Procrastination Day
Fight Procrastination Day tells us to get up in arms and
start battling the age-old beast that is “putting things off”. There are a
million techniques to battle it, but procrastination is decidedly an epic level
raid monster, and sometimes it seems like a concerted effort of us and our most
efficient friends is the only thing that will put it down. The fight against
procrastination has been going on a long time, and there have been some really
creative methods created to fight it, all to varying success. What kind of
crazy techniques? How about Victor Hugo and James Riley choosing to write naked
so it wasn’t a simple matter to head out to drink with the boys at the local
pub? Not necessarily a universally practical method, but it definitely has its
high points. Then there are modern versions that are truly remarkable, programs
that you download onto your computer that act as a filter according to the
rules you set up… Ya know, like if you work at home and want to use it to
control your behavior during work hours?
How to celebrate Fight Procrastination Day
You celebrate Procrastination Day by getting ready to fight putting things off all day long. You can do this by starting with precommitment the night before, you set yourself an alarm, get rid of your distractions, set up your workspace, and be ready to hit the ground running when you get up. If you’re trying to make sure you’re ready for work, set your breakfast, coffee, and towels for the morning shower up the night before. Everything to streamline your way out the door and prevent you from dawdling.
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite yourself in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: Authentic
Feminism
·
Religion
in the Home for Preschool: September
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary
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