Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, through the Letter to the Hebrews and the Gospel of Mark which we hear from in today’s readings at Holy Mass, we are invited to awaken the genuine excitement that following Jesus, our Lord, entails. This morning, let us immerse ourselves in the profound truth of who Jesus is: Almighty God, and yet someone who is deeply engaged in our lives, ever ready to intercede for us with the Father. We will reflect on his mediation tomorrow.
The letter to the Hebrews emphasizes the uniqueness of Christ. Unlike the high priests of old, who had to offer sacrifices daily for their own sins and then for the people (which is the basic definition of a priest as one who offers sacrifice), Jesus offered Himself once and for all. His sacrifice was perfect, holy, and complete because he is the infinite God from God and Light from Light, one in being with the Father. As such, He did not just fulfill the role of a priest when he interceded through his sacrifice on the cross with the Father; He transformed it. He is “higher than the heavens” and has made a way for us to approach God with confidence and joy. Isn’t this a source of incredible excitement for us as Christians? God, rather than wanting to be terrifying to us, wishes to be approachable. He is gentle, tender, and he loves each of us with an unfathomable love. And we saw this love, in its most powerful manifestation, in Jesus.
In the Gospel of Mark, we see that immense crowds were drawn to Jesus, desperately seeking healing and hope. They pressed in to touch Him,
acknowledging His power to cure their ailments since great healing power flowed out of him. He is God after all. How beautiful it is to imagine them, filled with hope and excitement, not knowing fully what it means to encounter the Son of God, yet knowing something incredible was happening in their midst! But we, dear friends, know who He is. We know that Jesus is not a distant figure from history but a living presence among us. He is here, in our struggles, our joys, our desires, and even in our doubts.
The enthusiasm of those crowds teaches us an important lesson. They were drawn to Jesus because they believed He could change their lives. Do we still possess that same belief? The assurance of His love becomes a catalyst for our excitement. He waits for our response because he gives us so many concrete ways in which to encounter his transformative love. Two come to mind immediately: the Sacraments of Confession and his giving himself to us through his most sacred Body and Blood in the Eucharist. Two very powerful ways we can engage his loving and merciful, life-changing grace tangibly and frequently.
As we reflect on our own lives, we need to ask: How do we recognize Jesus in our daily routines? Are we making space for Him in our hearts and lives, allowing that excitement for His presence to propel us forward? To be able to be energized by his presence more and more, we will need to continue deepening our prayer life. If there is little to no communication with our Lord, we will inevitably be seeking sources of excitement in things and people which can never compare. We choose unwisely, when we choose the world over Jesus.
Let us approach Him today with open hearts, with the joy and excitement of someone seeking to touch the hem of His garment. He is present. He is listening. And He is waiting to pour out His love upon us.
May we leave Mass today filled with renewed excitement, ready to proclaim the greatness of our God and to live as His enthusiastic disciples in a world that so desperately needs His light, just as Saint Francis of Assisi did and so many other saints.
Our Lady, Mother of our Lord, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.
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