7 February 2019
Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
“You have not approached that which could be touched” (Heb 12:18). This verse appears in a passage contrasting the New Covenant and the Old Covenant, that is, the Covenant of Jesus Christ and the Covenant of Moses. Moses received his covenant while atop a mountain, which the Israelites had been instructed not to touch. “All who touch the mountain must be put to death” (Ex 19:12). Such a severe penalty protected the holy mountain from profane violation.
When we are baptized and participate in Christian worship, we do not approach something sacred that can be touched. In other words, our sacred mountain cannot be perceived by the senses. God is a spiritual being who is present among us in various ways, but that presence can only be experienced by faith, which is why faith is so crucial in Christianity. Every Christian experience of God is mediated by faith.
“No, you have approached Mt. Zion” (Heb 12:22). It is a spiritual mountain that we are approaching, something that cannot be touched. It is an assembly of angels and saints and God and the sprinkled blood of Jesus that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel (cf. Heb 12:24). Abel’s blood cried out for vengeance. Jesus’ blood cries out for mercy. When we go to mass, we must climb the spiritual mountain, join in the spiritual assembly, find the blood of Jesus and with it cry out for mercy. May God graciously hear us!