Misusable

Today’s first reading from the epistle to the Hebrews is an easy one to misuse.


Some, for example, misuse passages such as these in wrongheaded attempts to justify the unjustifiable mistreatment of Jews.

The epistle writer’s point is that Christ’s covenant is the effective means of salvation, whereas the old covenant was not really effective. That is not, however, a rejection of the Jewish people.

It is important to read Romans 9-11 in this regard, in which St. Paul expresses confidence that they will eventually will be saved through Christ.

“God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew….” (11:2a), “and so all Israel shall be saved…” (11:26) and “they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (11:28b-29a)


Another example: some misuse passages such as these to denounce human teachers (or a fortiori a Magisterium) among Christians as redundant or worse. This is a mistaken notion that contradicts our Lord's own command (Matthew 28:20) and every place in the New Testament where the Apostles and other Christians are described as teaching.

The epistle writer’s point is that true, personal knowledge of the Lord ultimately comes as a grace from God. Intellectual learning by itself – without grace – will not give anyone the intimate relationship with God to which he calls us. A person without grace may acknowledge the validity of proofs of God’s existence and understand certain concepts about God, but cannot truly know God in himself unless God gives that person the grace.

Human teachers, of course, may act as occasions of this grace or even as instruments in some way. Furthermore, as intellectual beings, intellectual understanding of our faith is vital.


All of us need to grow continually by God’s grace in our personal relationship with him, in our intellectual understanding of our faith, and in the ways we share with others the faith, grace, and love we have received through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.