The Letter to the Hebrews, in all of its eloquence and beauty gets a little old after four weeks. We are now only in week two, with two remaining and I find myself thinking at Mass, “When are we going to hear from a different book?” While I have had this experience several times since becoming a daily communicant, it has become all the more clear to me this week. Occasionally at the parish there arise situations where the pastor has to be gone and is unable to celebrate Mass at the regularly scheduled time. Usually this means that the permanent deacon or I is asked to lead a Communion Service. Though I am opposed to this practice in principle, I do relish the events inasmuch as they allow me to practice preaching in front of a real congregation (This is a legal and licit practice.) So, this week I have led two communion services and each time I looked at the readings from Hebrews I asked, “What on earth am I going to say about this?” Thank goodness for the Gospel. As I said, Hebrews is a beautiful letter, and I have found it to be a fruitful piece of Scripture with which to pray. But it’s awfully hard to preach on it.
Future Priests of the Third Millennium
A little insight into the life of seminarians from various dioceses preparing for ministry as Roman Catholic priests, including daily activities, personal interests, special events, the spiritual life, news from the seminary, and almost whatever comes to our minds!
Theology III in Israel
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Sponsoring Dioceses
- Archdiocese of Anchorage
- Archdiocese of Saint Louis
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
- Diocese of Crookston
- Diocese of Davenport
- Diocese of Des Moines
- Diocese of Duluth
- The Emmanuel Community
- Diocese of Grand Island
- Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga, Ghana, West Africa
- Diocese of New Ulm
- Pro Ecclesia Sancta
- Diocese of Rapid City
- Diocese of Rockford
- Diocese of Saint Cloud
- Diocese of Sioux Falls
3 comments:
Tyler: Aren't these the Melchizedek readings? As a future priest, that in itself does not give you ideas?
I read Magnificat every day and I read the same Hebrew readings too. However, I have found them to be a nice tie-in with the National Vocations week.
Tyler,
I have to admit I never found much in Hebrews either, until I started studying the Old Testament, and was able to put it all into context. Knowing what the Apostle is referring to gives so much more meaning to the letter.
I hope that helps!
- Peter
btw, my original comment was lost into the black hole of cyberspace. I guess this one was meant to be instead.
I don't mean to degrade Hebrews. i think it is a very beautiful book. And I have not been blind to the priesthood aspects of the readings. However, I find that that a number of people chaffe when one preaches about the priesthood in any kind of extended way, and for the time being, prudence dictates that I avoid chaffing people when I don't have to do so.
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