A Merciful and Faithful High Priest (Wednesday, Week 1, Year 1)

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SYMPATHY, EMPATHY and COMPASSION go together. If I cannot in any way identify with your feelings or difficulties (EMPATHY), I may not properly understand, enter into or share those feelings or difficulties you may have (SYMPATHY). And if I am not EMPATHETIC and SYMPATHETIC enough, I cannot sincerely be described as being COMPASSIONATE, TOLERANT or MERCIFUL towards you. This is not rocket science! It is PURELY experiential. We all can relate to it.


When the Letter to the Hebrews (cf. Heb. 2:14-18) describes Jesus as a MERCIFUL and FAITHFUL High Priest, it is simply because He partook of the same nature with us, suffered and was tempted like us so that He would be able to understand and help us humans who suffer and are tempted in so many ways. In simple terms, Jesus was sympathetic and empathetic to a fault: He identified with, entered into or shared our miserable situation and thus was able to understand our situation. And on the basis of His clear understanding of our human misery, He helped and continues to help us with utmost compassion and mercy.


In Mark 1:29-39, it is not surprising at all to hear that this Jesus was hopping from house to house, from city to city, healing the sick, liberating those who were demon-possessed, preaching in the synagogues, praying for Himself and for the people, and so on. He is a merciful and faithful high priest. He shared our nature; He identified with us; and even understands our situation better than we do.


Are you worried about your situation? Are you on the verge of giving up on account of difficulties and challenges? Worry no more! Be happy! You have a sympathetic, empathetic, merciful, compassionate and faithful high priest in the person of Jesus, Savior and Redeemer. As a high priest, He serves as an ultimate link between humanity and divinity. As regards our relationship with God the Father, He has made everything easier for us. If you’re still worried about your situation, then you must be much more worried about your faith in Jesus, our compassionate redeemer.        


Prayer:

Ever merciful and faithful Redeemer, help us understand that You are always with us no matter how depressing our situations may be, Amen!


Have a joyful day!



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