The Pope’s Message for Lent 2012 is now available at the Vatican website. The document is just about 3,000 words long, with three numbered paragraphs. It is a reflection on the text of Hebrews 10:24, the passage which also provides the theme of the message.
Below is an outline of the Message, but before that we also supply the text (in the NAB translation as given in ICTUS 3) of Hebrews 10:19-25, the immediate context of 10:24. I do this so that it would be easier to follow the exegetical premises of the Pope’s explanation of verse 24.
These words are part of a passage in which the sacred author exhorts us to trust in Jesus Christ as the High Priest who has won us forgiveness and opened up a pathway to God. Embracing Christ bears fruit in a life structured by the three theological virtues: it means approaching the Lord “sincere in heart and filled with faith” (v. 22), keeping firm “in the hope we profess” (v. 23) and ever mindful of living a life of “love and good works” (v. 24) together with our brothers and sisters. The author states that to sustain this life shaped by the Gospel it is important to participate in the liturgy and community prayer, mindful of the eschatological goal of full communion in God (v. 25).
The NAB Translation of Hebrews 10:19-25
19Therefore, brothers,
since through the blood of Jesus
we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary
20 by the new and living way he opened for us
through the veil, that is, his flesh,
21 and since we have “a great priest over the house of God,”
22 let us approach
with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, (=faith)
with our hearts sprinkled clean
with our hearts sprinkled clean
from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed
and our bodies washed
in pure water.
23 Let us hold unwaveringly
to our confession that gives us hope,
for he who made the promise
for he who made the promise
is trustworthy.
24 We must consider
how to rouse one another
to love
and good works.
and good works.
25 We should not
stay away from our assembly,
as is the custom of some,
but encourage one another,
and this all the more
as you see the day
drawing near.
Outline of the Message for Lent 2012
- Introduction
- the theme: “Let us be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24)
- the verse in context
- 1. “let us be concerned for each other”: responsibility towards our brothers and sisters
- the Greek verb katanoein
- the call to be “guardians” of our brothers and sisters (Genesis 4:9)
- desiring the good for the other
- the parable of the Good Samaritan
- the parable of Dives and Lazarus
- the other’s spiritual well-being: fraternal correction in view of eternal salvation
- the use of the verb elenchein
- “admonishing sinners” as a work of mercy
- mutual assistance
- 2. being concerned for each other: the gift of reciprocity
- the “custody of others” as a counter-culture
- …flows from the Eucharist
- 3. “to stir a response in love and good works”: walking together in holiness
- our common call and journey
- sharing our spiritual riches with one another
- Conclusion: anticipating one another in charity, service and good works (Hebrews 6:10)
The document reads like an extended homily or a prepared reflection for a retreat. I think that it can be a fruitful resource even for the laity. Read the document at the Vatican website.
24And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works:
19Having therefore, brethren, a confidence in the entering into the holies by the blood of Christ;
20A new and living way which he hath dedicated for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh,
21And a high priest over the house of God:
22Let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with clean water.
23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering (for he is faithful that hath promised),
24And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works:
25Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed; but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.
19Having therefore, brethren, a confidence in the entering into the holies by the blood of Christ;
20A new and living way which he hath dedicated for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh,
21And a high priest over the house of God:
22Let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with clean water.
23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering (for he is faithful that hath promised),
24And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works:
25Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed; but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.
24And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works:
9And the Lord said to Cain: Where is thy brother Abel? And he answered, I know not: am I my brother's keeper?
10For God is not unjust, that he should forget your work, and the love which you have shewn in his name, you who have ministered, and do minister to the saints.
24And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works:
19Having therefore, brethren, a confidence in the entering into the holies by the blood of Christ;
20A new and living way which he hath dedicated for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh,
21And a high priest over the house of God:
22Let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with clean water.
23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering (for he is faithful that hath promised),
24And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works:
25Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed; but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.
19Having therefore, brethren, a confidence in the entering into the holies by the blood of Christ;
20A new and living way which he hath dedicated for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh,
21And a high priest over the house of God:
22Let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with clean water.
23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering (for he is faithful that hath promised),
24And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works:
25Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed; but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.
24And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works:
9And the Lord said to Cain: Where is thy brother Abel? And he answered, I know not: am I my brother's keeper?
10For God is not unjust, that he should forget your work, and the love which you have shewn in his name, you who have ministered, and do minister to the saints.
24And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works:
19Having therefore, brethren, a confidence in the entering into the holies by the blood of Christ;
20A new and living way which he hath dedicated for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh,
21And a high priest over the house of God:
22Let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with clean water.
23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering (for he is faithful that hath promised),
24And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works:
25Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed; but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.
19Having therefore, brethren, a confidence in the entering into the holies by the blood of Christ;
20A new and living way which he hath dedicated for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh,
21And a high priest over the house of God:
22Let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with clean water.
23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering (for he is faithful that hath promised),
24And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works:
25Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed; but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.
24And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works:
9And the Lord said to Cain: Where is thy brother Abel? And he answered, I know not: am I my brother's keeper?
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