Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
February 4, 2021
Daily Reading from the USCCB: Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24
The author has been offering encouragement to these Jewish Christians who were homesick for the old ways of Israel, teaching them that faith in Jesus is superior to what they had left behind. Christian faith offers a better high priest, a better covenant, better promises.
Now he contrasts two great assemblies: the Israelites gathered at Mt. Sinai for the execution of the old covenant, and the followers of Jesus gathered in the heavenly Jerusalem.
The former covenant began in terror and threat and did not bring about a true meeting with God. The new involves a joyful encounter with Jesus in the dwelling place of the Lord. This gathering is what lies in store for the faithful–for the readers of the letter, for us.
