12 January 2021 - homily for Tuesday of the 1st week of Ordinary Time - Hebrews 2:5-12

      This week, our first readings in our weekday Masses come from the Letter to the Hebrews in the New Testament.   Hebrews is located in the New Testament at the end of the letters of Paul and right before the letters from other authors.  In early Church tradition, authorship was attributed to Paul, but many had reservations as to whether Paul wrote it, including Origen and Clement of Alexandria.  Many of its characteristics differ from Pau’s other letters, such as the lack of the usual Pauline greeting and introduction.  Its inclusion in the canon of Scripture was ratified by the Council of Trent in 1546 bu the Council chose not to state categorically that this letter was written by Paul.  The Pontifical Biblical Communion in 1914 also refused to assign definite authorship to Paul.  However, the Biblical Communion believes it is most likely that Paul is the indirect author of this letter, as it was probably written in the scope of Paul’s teachings by one of his companions. 

        Our reading today discusses Jesus nature, to those early Christians who are having trouble understand Jesus’ humanity and suffering alongside his divinity and sonship.  The author of Hebrews emphasizes the dignity of humanity, saying the it was humanity not angels who were brought here by God to earth.  Our psalm today echoes a common theme, stating the insignificance of humanity compared to God, but also noting humanity’s stewardship of the rest of God’s creation on earth.  In recent times, we in the Church have more conscious of the importance of the theme of stewardship of creation, especially as we gain greater understanding of our impact on the environment.  It is indeed a mystery that the glory of God and our salvation are brought about by the son of God made incarnate and through his passion and death on the cross, of suffering terrible pain and humiliation.  This is our proof of Christ’s love for us, and ultimately, the Father’s love for us as well.  We as human beings often see suffering as punishment from God.  However, the author of Hebrews see is as a source of God’s grace.  Indeed, that is a mystery that is not easy for us to comprehend.