On Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the letter to the Hebrews (8;1-13) entitled "The priesthood of Christ in the New Covenant". Our treasure, which follows, is from a homily by Saint Gregory Nazianzen, bishop.
Saint Gregory of Nazianzen, often called Gregory the "theologian", was an early Roman Christian theologian and prelate who served as Archbishop of Constantinople from 380 to 381. He is known for instituting the first recorded large-scale mission from Rome, the Gregorian mission, to convert the then largely pagan Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. Gregory is also well known for his writings, which were more prolific than those of any of his predecessors as pope. He is widely considered the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the patristic age.
Saint Gregory Nazianzen's primary contribution to teachings of the Church was articulating and defending the Church's doctrine of the Trinity—especially the divinity of the Holy Spirit—helping shape the theology affirmed at the Council of Constantinople and expressed in the Nicene Creed. He died in 390.
As early as the second century, this letter or treatise, which is of great rhetorical power and force in its admonition to faithful pilgrimage under Christ's leadership, bore the title "To the Hebrews." It was assumed to be directed to Jewish Christians. Usually, Hebrews was attached in Greek manuscripts to the collection of letters by Paul. Although no author is mentioned (for there is no address), a reference to Timothy suggested connections to the circle of Paul and his assistants. Yet the exact audience, the author, and even whether Hebrews is a letter have long been disputed.
The central message of the Epistle to the Hebrews is that Jesus Christ is the perfect and eternal High Priest who fulfills and surpasses the old covenant, offering Himself once for all for the salvation of humanity. The letter teaches that through Christ, believers have direct access to God, and it calls them to persevere in faith, especially in times of trial, trusting in His definitive sacrifice. By showing how Christ completes the meaning of the Law, priesthood, and sacrifices of the Old Testament, Hebrews urges Christians to remain steadfast, confident, and faithful to Him.
