Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time (1/13/23)

Saint Hilary of Poitiers - Optional Memorial

St. Hilary of Poitiers was a 4th-century bishop and theologian. He is known for his defense of the Nicene Creed and his opposition to the Arian heresy, which held that Jesus was not fully divine. Hilary was born in Poitiers, France, and became bishop of that city in the 350s. He was an important figure in the early Christian Church and his writings on theology and the nature of God had a significant influence on the development of Christian doctrine.

Readings: Heb 4:1-5, 11/Mk 2:1-12

Hebrews 4:1-5, 11 is a passage in the New Testament epistle to the Hebrews that speaks about the importance of faith and the promise of rest that God gives to believers.

Mark 2:1-12 is a passage in the Gospel of Mark that tells the story of Jesus healing a paralytic man.

Themes

A common theme in both Hebrews 4:1-5, 11 and Mark 2:1-12 is the power of faith and the authority of Jesus. In Hebrews 4, the author speaks about the promise of rest that God gives to believers, and encourages the readers to have faith and not to harden their hearts. In Mark 2, the story of Jesus healing the paralytic man illustrates the authority of Jesus to forgive sins and to perform miracles. In both passages, faith is presented as an important aspect of the Christian life and a means of receiving God's blessings.

Theology

There are several deeper theological themes present in these passages.

In Hebrews 4:1-5, 11, the theme of rest is central to the passage. The rest that is mentioned here is often understood to refer to the rest that believers will experience in heaven, a state of perfect peace and fulfillment in the presence of God. The passage also speaks about the importance of faith in entering into this rest, suggesting that faith is necessary for salvation. This idea is consistent with other themes in the New Testament, which emphasize the role of faith in the Christian life.

In Mark 2:1-12, the theme of forgiveness is prominent. The passage tells the story of Jesus forgiving the sins of the paralytic man, which was a revolutionary act that challenged the traditional religious beliefs of the time. This event demonstrates the authority of Jesus to forgive sins, which is an attribute that is exclusive to God. The healing of the paralytic man is also an important event, as it demonstrates the power of Jesus to perform miracles and to bring physical healing to those who are in need. Both of these themes are significant in the context of the Gospel of Mark and the wider New Testament, as they speak to the divinity of Jesus and his role as the Savior of humanity.

Limerick

There once was a bishop named Hilary
Whose theology was very contrary
He fought against Arian
And defended the Nicene
His faith was strong and not contrary

In Hebrews four, we're encouraged to trust
That in God's rest, we'll be a must
But in Mark, we see Jesus
Forgiving sin, oh so capricious
A miracle for all, so a must

Haiku

Theologian true
Defender of faith, Hilary
A beacon of hope

Scripture speaks of rest
Forgiveness through Jesus' power
Guidance and salvation

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