Scripture Readings, January 30, 2025

Hebrews 10:19-25, Psalm 24:1-6, Mark 4:21-25

Sometimes I think we can reduce Christian and Catholic faith to a moral code. The thinking runs along the line that religion is primarily about setting up rules for human behavior. That thinking tends to see Jesus as someone who came to show us how to live. Now I’m not saying that generous, loving behavior is not part of Catholic faith, I’m saying it’s the biproduct of the primary purpose of Jesus’s life. His primary purpose: demonstrate that God is an active loving presence in our lives. That we are meant to have a personal, direct relationship with God simply because that’s what God wants … to be a loving companion with us. Isn’t it true that once you feel loved everything changes? Well, that’s the point, first you have to feel loved and that’s what today’s readings are trying to tell us.

Hebrews starts by pointing out that we have “entrance to the sanctuary” because of Jesus’ death and that “his promise is trustworthy.” To enter the sanctuary is to have access to God. In Judaism only the high priest could enter the sanctuary where supposedly God resided. Now this access is available to everyone.

It is this being in God’s presence that the author of Hebrews is saying provides the hope we long for. Coming together in our faith, in the assembly helps sustain our belief in what Jesus promised, that God is with us.

          Finally, Jesus in Mark’s Gospel has just told the story of the sower and the seed. How spreading God’s Word depends as much on the one who is listening as the person spreading the message. He explains that God’s loving message is not meant to be hidden but people need to listen and if they listen then more will be given to them than they would expect. There is also the warning that not paying attention has consequences. The story is not about behavior or being rich or poor but rather about opening oneself to the message of God’s love and care. It’s about hearing what Jesus’ life says about God with us and only then acting on that belief. We all need to hear the message and hold on to it over our lifetime. Holding on to a message of love is where behavior comes in: how we live day to day, being in conversation with other believers, recognizing the gift of life we have been given. The Psalmist says it directly, “Lord, this is the people who long to see your face.” What is love but the longing to be with our loved one.