Hebrews 5:1-10
Proper 24 (29) - Year B
The Message talks about learning through suffering (a word play between the two - they are connected, in a "Wounded Healer" sort of way). This suffering-learning brings about "trusting-obedience."
These hyphenated words are important. In a culture that tends to reduce important conversations to catch-phrases, bumper-stickers, and sound-bites, leading to a tendency to think about things one thing at a time, we need to more intentionally put important distinctions into play.
If you say, "obedience," have you said it all? What is the difference between fearful-obedience and trusting-obedience? Might it be in the arena of maturing in the faith and coming to some sense of completedness or wholeness (all better ways of putting it than, "perfect")? Is there legal-obedience or loving-obedience?
Obedience is to bring us to a state of listening toward someone or something. Are we able to hear, "You are my beloved" (trusting/loving-obedience) or do we hear "You better watch out" (fearful/legal-obedience)?
How can you assist someone toward trusting-obedience today? How can you mature into trusting-obedience, yourself?
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2003/october2003.html
Hebrews 5:1-10
Job 38:1-7, (34-41) or Isaiah 53:4-12
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c or Psalm 91:9-16
Mark 10:35-45
Job is berated for not knowing that which came before humankind (Genesis 1 version) or for not having paid attention to what came after humankind (Genesis 2 version). Unfortunately to berate that made in one's image is to recognize one's own limitation. G*D simply has no adequate response to the reality stated in Isaiah, "It was the willingness of the Lord to crush with pain." There is no amount of fancy dancing and holy intimidation that will get G*D off the hook.
Likewise is it in community. There is nothing that will get James and John off the hook of looking for an inappropriate edge -- we will trap Jesus from the inside, he can't refuse our request; a Pharisee's trapping request, perhaps, but not ours.
Both G*D and the disciples need to hear again, "It is not to be so among us. Whomever desires honor must live it, day in and day out."
- - -
yea, we are able
affirms our affirmation
that we are images
able to imitate
that which we imagine
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html
In your baptism - "You are my beloved, I celebrate you" - is your appointment to being a "high priest" (as if priesthood is really hierarchical - remember it is an appointment, not a ladder-climbing profession).
A priest worthy of their appointment brings G*D to others, brings others to G*D, and is gentle in both directions.
There it is, three simple tasks. Enjoy your priesthood this and every day.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html
Commentary from the Christian Community Bible:
"It is helpful to look at the role of Christ, the High Priest, at the time the Church is reminding us that all the faithful are associated with the priestly role of Christ. We must represent humanity before God; we are consecrated to God for that purpose.
"When we celebrate the Eucharist, along with the offering of our own lives, we present to God all the work and life of the world. In the Eucharist we thank God in the name of everyone. In daily life, we must be the instruments of the grace of God, by being people who promote truth, encourage love and establish peaceful relationships."
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Imagine what it would be like for you to be co-High-Priest, representing humanity. Does this shift your understanding of eucharist and its hierarchical processes?
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2003/april2003.html
Priests take folks to God through their gifts and sacrifices — intermediary after intermediary.
Imaging Jesus as a priest, high or low, turns Jesus into a functionary.
Hebrews does us the great injustice of turning Prophet Jesus with a word from G*D into merely a sacrificing priest. This has sown seeds of a hierarchical church, orthodoxy, and creedal standards that keep us tied to the past and oh so slow to repent of each of these methods that ask for continued sacrifice of minorities within and without the church walls.
Want to get your faith energized again? Throw out the priestly imagery of Hebrews and return to Prophet Jesus. We don’t need a perpetual priest, but a present prophet.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2012/03/hebrews-51-10.html