What is beyond the veil into eternal life?

[Michie]

Today is Jan. 30, Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time.

We read at today’s Mass, “Brothers and sisters: Since through the Blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil, that is, his flesh, and since we have ‘a great priest over the house of God,’ let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water” (Heb 10:19-22).

In the Temple in ancient Israel, the innermost sanctuary, called the “Holy of Holies” was separated from the rest of the Temple by a veil. The Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, was the very dwelling palace of God on earth. Only the high priest passed beyond the veil to enter this most sacred space. And he did so only once a year, on the Day of Atonement.

That’s the context for the claim we hear today in the Letter to the Hebrews. Through the blood of Jesus, we have “confidence of entrance into the sanctuary” (Heb 10:19). Jesus Christ is our High Priest. We who have been washed in his blood have been granted entrance to the Holy of Holies, to be united with God. St. John Chrysostom reminds us that this “entrance” is none other than our access to heaven and to the treasures of God’s grace. Jesus’ own flesh has been lifted up on the cross, opening the gates of heaven — a way Abraham and the holy ones before Christ could only await with hope.

Preparing the path of eternal life​

Continued below.

What is beyond the veil into eternal life?

Through the veil of Christ’s flesh, we are granted access to heaven, the eternal life prepared for us through his sacrifice.

www.oursundayvisitor.com

 

[fide]

Today is Jan. 30, Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time.

We read at today’s Mass, “Brothers and sisters: Since through the Blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil, that is, his flesh, and since we have ‘a great priest over the house of God,’ let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water” (Heb 10:19-22).

In the Temple in ancient Israel, the innermost sanctuary, called the “Holy of Holies” was separated from the rest of the Temple by a veil. The Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, was the very dwelling palace of God on earth. Only the high priest passed beyond the veil to enter this most sacred space. And he did so only once a year, on the Day of Atonement.

That’s the context for the claim we hear today in the Letter to the Hebrews. Through the blood of Jesus, we have “confidence of entrance into the sanctuary” (Heb 10:19). Jesus Christ is our High Priest. We who have been washed in his blood have been granted entrance to the Holy of Holies, to be united with God. St. John Chrysostom reminds us that this “entrance” is none other than our access to heaven and to the treasures of God’s grace. Jesus’ own flesh has been lifted up on the cross, opening the gates of heaven — a way Abraham and the holy ones before Christ could only await with hope.

Preparing the path of eternal life​

Continued below.

What is beyond the veil into eternal life?

Through the veil of Christ’s flesh, we are granted access to heaven, the eternal life prepared for us through his sacrifice.

www.oursundayvisitor.com

The author writes, "This “new and living way” (Heb 10:20) stands in stark contrast to the paths that lead to emptiness and spiritual death. Our Lord’s sacrifice transforms our lives, enabling us to draw near to God with a “sincere heart” and “absolute trust.” We no longer journey as wanderers in darkness; we follow the One who has passed through the veil before us, preparing the path of eternal life."

But DO we in fact, in actually, "follow Him"? Or do we think about it, but not do it? Or do we merely imagine "doing" it? - Like watching a movie, projecting ourselves into the role of the protagonist, and pretending his accomplishments, his satisfactions, his heroism, his rewards as our own? When Jesus says "FOLLOW Me" does He mean it, and or merely suggest that we do so in thoughts and words, but not really?

Did Jesus really mean what He preached, or not? Consider - Listen:

Mrk 8:31 And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Mrk 8:32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
Mrk 8:33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter, and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men."
Mrk 8:34 And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Mrk 8:35 For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.
Mrk 8:36 For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?
Mrk 8:37 For what can a man give in return for his life?
Mrk 8:38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

I think that many who hear what is often preached as "the Gospel", hear that Jesus made it easy for us - He carried His Cross for us, so we wouldn't have to. He gave up His life for us, so we wouldn't have to. He was tortured for us, so we could live comfortably and peacefully in this world and then enter a heaven that is even better.

Yes, "Our Lord's sacrifice [should] transform our lives, enabling us to draw near to God with a 'sincere heart'...." if we would follow Him.

St. Paul did. He did "take up his cross and follow Jesus" in every sense of the words.

Col 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,
Col 1:25 of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,
Col 1:26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his saints.
Col 1:27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Col 1:28 Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ.
Col 1:29 For this I toil, striving with all the energy which he mightily inspires within me.

May God help us, no more to "play church" but to be His disciple.

 

[RileyG]

Thanks for sharing!