The Liturgy - Eucharistic

Texts: Heb. 12:18-24

The Church captures the thought in the text, Heb. 12:18-24, with the following words: "In the earthly liturgy we take part in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the Holy City of Jerusalem towards which we journey as pilgrims, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God, Minister of the holies and of the true tabernacle. With all the warriors of the heavenly army we sing a hymn of glory to the Lord; venerating the memory of the saints, we hope for some part and fellowship with them" (S.C no. 8).

The text speaks of a new and unique access to God, communion with heavenly beings, and a new dignity achieved as we worship through Jesus Christ. The sight of God in Jesus Christ is not terrifying and scarring like that of the Old the testament; it is that of a loving encounter and relationship. In Jesus Christ, God no longer come to us in blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, and the sound of trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers entreat that no messages be spoken to them." Those circumstances that make man afraid of hearing God's words are removed by Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ we are no longer afraid to enter God's presence or hear His words. In Jesus Christ the terrifying image of God is removed; that which kept man far from God is removed so that we have direct access into God's presence. The text says, "But you have come to Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem". This is unlike the people of old who were earthly minded and focused on such things like fire, darkness, gloom, tempest, etc. Our worship in Jesus Christ is the foretaste of God's presence and heavenly glory; our minds are set on heaven, not earth. The worship in Jesus Christ is a communion with God Himself. In Jesus Christ we see God and we no longer die but live and gain eternal life.

The worship in Jesus Christ is a communion with the angels. The text affirms this when it says we have come to innumerable angels in festal gathering. Having communion with the angels means that we praise and worship God with them; we are introduced to what we shall do forever in heaven. The communion with the angels also means that we enjoy the protective loving care of the angels.

We are also reminded that we all have the same dignity and position of firstborn. This reminds us that before God there is no favourite, we are all equal and have the same inheritance in Jesus Christ. 

The text also speaks of our communion with other brothers and sisters, for it tells us that we have come to the assembly  of the firstborn who are the citizens of heaven. This communion is the communion of pilgrims. This means we need the encouragement of other brothers and sisters in our journey to heaven. We need to help one another and listen to one another.

The text reminds us of our communion with the saints, for it tells us that we have come to the spirits of just men made perfect. This means we enjoy the intercession and help of the saints in Jesus Christ. This communion manifests in the impact of their examples on our lives and in their intercession and help from heaven. 

We are also reminded of the mercy and grace we enjoy in Jesus Christ. 

In our worship we also have communion with Jesus Christ. In this communion we enjoy His love and mercy, forgiveness and pardon; for He mediates between God and we, and His blood continues to speak for us; His blood speaks of mercy. It tells us that the blood of Jesus Christ does not cry for vengeance like that of Abel's, but for mercy.

May God's words dwell in our hearts. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke