Sunday Vigil
The week of prayer for the unity of Christians starts. Particular memory of the Catholic Church.
Reading of the Word of God
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Whoever lives and believes in me
will never die.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Hebrews 4,12-16
The word of God is something alive and active: it cuts more incisively than any two-edged sword: it can seek out the place where soul is divided from spirit, or joints from marrow; it can pass judgement on secret emotions and thoughts. No created thing is hidden from him; everything is uncovered and stretched fully open to the eyes of the one to whom we must give account of ourselves. Since in Jesus, the Son of God, we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heaven, we must hold firm to our profession of faith. For the high priest we have is not incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us, but has been put to the test in exactly the same way as ourselves, apart from sin. Let us, then, have no fear in approaching the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace when we are in need of help.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
If you believe, you will see the glory of God,
thus says the Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
The author of the letter to the Hebrews, this singular preacher, praises the Word of God that is "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." The Word of God understands us much better than we understand ourselves. This is why disciples are invited to entrust themselves to it if they want to understand the depths of their own heart. Indeed, God himself speaks in Scriptures. Certainly, when one hears the Word of God and makes it one's own, it penetrates the soul and cuts it, divides it, because it leads us to see the evil we do and the good we do not pursue. But those who accept to become disciples of the Word and change their lives to conform them to God's sentiments, find mercy, forgiveness, great joy and friendship with God and with his brothers and sisters. In the second part of the passage there is a statement by the preacher intended to hearten the Christian readers who are experiencing a difficult time because of the strong opposition from circles hostile to the Gospel. Jesus knows well our difficulties and weaknesses because "in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin." His compassion for us comes from the fact that he came to dwell among us and experienced in his own flesh our weakness which he brought to heaven in his body thanks to his compassion.