http://www.easterbrooks.com/cgi-bin/Cathcal.cgi?20050122

First Reading: Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
Gospel: Mark 3:20-21

First Reading: Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14

2

For a tabernacle was constructed, the outer one, ¹ in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of offering; this is called the Holy Place.

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² Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies,

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³ But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be, ⁴ passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation,

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he entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.

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For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes ⁵ can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed,

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how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit ⁶ offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.

Table of Contents Hebrews 9

Footnotes

¹ [2] The outer one: the author speaks of the outer tabernacle (Hebrews 9:6) and the inner one (Hebrews 9:7) rather than of one Mosaic tabernacle divided into two parts or sections.

² [3] The second veil: what is meant is the veil that divided the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. It is here called the second, because there was another veil at the entrance to the Holy Place, or "outer tabernacle" (Exodus 26:36).

³ [11-14] Christ, the high priest of the spiritual blessings foreshadowed in the Old Testament sanctuary, has actually entered the true sanctuary of heaven that is not of human making (Hebrews 9:11). His place there is permanent, and his offering is his own blood that won eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12). If the sacrifice of animals could bestow legal purification (Hebrews 9:13), how much more effective is the blood of the sinless, divine Christ who spontaneously offered himself to purge the human race of sin and render it fit for the service of God (Hebrews 9:14).

⁴ [11] The good things that have come to be: the majority of later manuscripts here read "the good things to come"; cf Hebrews 10:1.

⁵ [13] A heifer's ashes: ashes from a red heifer that had been burned were mixed with water and used for the cleansing of those who had become ritually defiled by touching a corpse; see Numbers 19:9, 14-21.

⁶ [14] Through the eternal spirit: this expression does not refer either to the holy Spirit or to the divine nature of Jesus but to the life of the risen Christ, "a life that cannot be destroyed" (Hebrews 7:16).

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

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¹ For the leader. A psalm of the Korahites.

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All you peoples, clap your hands; shout to God with joyful cries.

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² Who chose a land for our heritage, the glory of Jacob, the beloved. Selah

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³ God mounts the throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.

7

Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise.

8

God is king over all the earth; sing hymns of praise.

Table of Contents Psalms 47

Footnotes

¹ [Psalm 47] A hymn calling on the nations to acknowledge the universal rule of Israel's God (Psalm 47:2-5) who is enthroned as king over Israel and the nations (Psalm 47:6-9).

² [5] Our heritage . . . the glory: the land of Israel (cf Isaiah 58:14), which God has given Israel in an act of sovereignty.

³ [6] God mounts the throne: "has gone up to the throne," according to the context (Psalm 47:9). Christian liturgical tradition has applied the verse to the ascension of Christ.

Gospel: Mark 3:20-21

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^{1 2} He came home. Again (the) crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat.

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When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, "He is out of his mind."

Table of Contents Mark 3

Footnotes

¹ [20-35] Within the narrative of the coming of Jesus' relatives (Mark 3:20-21) is inserted the account of the unbelieving scribes from Jerusalem who attributed Jesus' power over demons to Beelzebul (Mark 3:22-30); see the note on Mark 5:21-43. There were those even among the relatives of Jesus who disbelieved and regarded Jesus as out of his mind (Mark 3:21). Against this background, Jesus is informed of the arrival of his mother and brothers [and sisters] (Mark 3:32). He responds by showing that not family ties but doing God's will (35) is decisive in the kingdom; cf the note on Matthew 12:46-50.

² [20] He came home: cf Mark 2:1-2 and see the note on Mark 2:15.