SEIZE THE HOPE SET BEFORE US…

Hebrews 6:10-20 
10 For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end,
12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself,14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.”15 And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise.16 Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.
17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath,18 so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain,20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Mark 2:23-27 

23 One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain.24 And the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?”25 And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him:26 how he entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?”27 And he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath;

MEDITATION

THE HEBREW WRITER seeks to encourage the leaders of the Church to not give up hope despite their trails, but to be in service of the people even in difficult times.The writer holds up Abraham as an epitome of courage who never gave up hope such that Melchizedek a mystical heavenly figure, paid him a visit (Gen:4:18-20);fed him with heavenly bread that brought about restoration and neighbourly peace. 

THE GOSPEL READING: Our LORD respond to the criticism of the Pharisees who rightly condemned His apostles for working on the Sabbath plucking heads of grain to produce bread, a crime punishable  by death (Ex 31:14), by pointing to king David who was not supposed to partake of the Holy bread, were allowed to feed his troops who was enroute to face their enemies. To be sure, this event signaled  a departure from the old covenant whereby supernatural work is perfomed on the new Sabbath day when bread and wine is offered in the Holy Eucharist to sustain and strengthen God’s children who face trails and tribulations.

Today’s readings points to the absolute importance that the people of God not be denied the Eucharist—bread of the Presence—unless they are not in a state of grace and or in union with the teaching office of the Church. Moreover in an emergency, the God fearing homebound who battle with sickness facing death, should be visited by a priest to anoint and serve them with life-giving bread, irrespective the day or time of day! We who are suffering facing severe battles be it spiritual or temporal, must similarly seize the hope that is set before us by attending Holy Mass and be fed with the bread of life.

LET US PRAY: Psalms 111:1-2, 4-5,9-10

1 Praise the LORD. I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who have pleasure in them.4 He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful.5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name!10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever!

Commentary. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.