January 16, 2013

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Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 307

Reading 1 from St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews
Heb 2:14-18

Since the children share in blood and Flesh,
Jesus likewise shared in them,

We are the children who share in blood and Flesh.  Note the capitalization of "Flesh".  I believe this is an intentional reference to the Eucharist.  Why "blood" is not likewise capitalized, I don't know.  However, we share in the flesh and blood of Christ in two ways.
1.  We are made in the image and likeness of God.
2.  We share in the Eucharist when we participate in the Mass.

that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,

And this is why I believe that verse is a reference to the Eucharist.  Because the Eucharist is the sacrifice of Calvary, where Jesus died and destroyed the power of the Devil.

and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.

Scott Hahn says that the "fear of death" referred t here, is the reason why Adam fell into the Original Sin.

I hesitate to endorse that teaching because that would qualify Original Sin as a non mortal sin.  A mortal sin must be done with full volition.  One must know it is wrong and do it anyway.  But if one commits a sin out of fear for one's life, that sin isn't mortal because one isn't doing it of one's free will.

And the Original Sin was a mortal sin.

But if that is not what "fear of death" means, I don't know what it means.  Because "fear of death" hardly ever enters into the equation when I commit sin.  On the contrary, it is the very opposite.

Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;

Angels have no bodies which could die.  Therefore, they were never subjected to death.

therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.

But Jesus took on flesh and became man in order to save His people from their sins.

Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.

Apparently, this is a reference to Jesus prayer in the garden:
Mark 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. 

Responsorial Psalm
ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9

R.(8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.or:
R. Alleluia.

Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.or:
R. Alleluia.

Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.or:
R. Alleluia.

You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.or:
R. Alleluia.

He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.or:
R. Alleluia.

This is the Covenant which God made with Abraham:

Genesis 17:4
As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

This Covenant was upheld by God in two ways.  Abraham became the father of Isaac, through whom the Jews were generated.

But more importantly, Jesus Christ is also the seed of Abraham.  And through Jesus Christ, Abraham became the father of all the nations of the world.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark
Mk 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

It is said that we know when a child is sick because they are quiet.  But this saying is equally true of our mothers.  I have never met a mom who is not up and about serving the ones she loves.

When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Jesus Christ healed all the sick in the town.  And He drove out many demons without permitting to reveal who He is.

Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.

Then early in the morning, He went off to pray in a deserted place.

Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.

Simon and the Apostles pursued Him and tried to bring Him back because many were searching for Him.

For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.

But He wanted to go to other towns and fulfill the mission which He was sent to do by His Father.  So He traveled throughout Galilee preaching and driving out demons.