JESUS IS OUR HIGH PRIEST

Homily for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year B

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Bible Passages: Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26; 1 John 4:11-16; John 17:11b-19

When others pray for us in our times of need, we often feel deeply touched, encouraged, and supported. Knowing that someone is lifting us up in prayer can bring comfort, strength, and a sense of connection, knowing that we are not alone in our struggles or joys. Now, imagine Jesus himself praying for us as the High Priest. It fills us with awe and gratitude to realize that the Son of God, who intimately knows our every need and desire, intercedes for us before the Father.

In the Jewish Religious Tradition, the role of the high priest was central to the worship and sacrificial system of the Temple. Each year, on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest would go into the Holy of Holies, where the very presence of the Lord dwelt and intercede between God and the people of Israel. He would sacrifice a bull for his own sin and would offer two goats for the sins of the people. One goat he would kill and sprinkle its blood on the mercy seat. The other goat, he would put his hands upon its head and confess all the sins of Israel upon it and then release it into the wilderness. The goat that was released into the wilderness is often referred to as the “scapegoat” (Leviticus 16:11).

In the New Testament, Jesus, as the eternal Son of God incarnate, fulfills and surpasses the role of the high priest in a way that is unparalleled and incomprehensible. He is not just a high priest among many; He is the High Priest par excellence, the one who offers himself as the perfect and unblemished sacrifice for the sins of the world. In the letter to the Hebrews, Jesus is described as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek, whose priesthood is eternal and whose sacrifice is once-for-all (Hebrews 7:17).

In today’s Gospel Passage, Jesus prays for us as our High Priest. His prayer is based on four key themes: unity, protection, sanctification, and mission. On unity, Jesus prays fervently for the unity of his disciples. He desires that they may be one, just as he and the Father are one. This unity is not merely organizational or superficial but is rooted in the intimate relationship of love shared between Jesus and his Father. Between Jesus and his Father, we find the unity of purpose, mission, and identity. It is this kind of unity that Jesus desires for his followers, emphasizing the importance of harmony and solidarity within the community of believers.

Jesus also prays for the protection of his disciples from the evil one and from the trials, tribulation, and temptations they will face in the world. He acknowledges the reality of spiritual warfare and the dangers posed by the forces of darkness. Yet, he entrusts his disciples into the Father’s hands, knowing that his power and love are greater than any threat they may encounter. Jesus’ prayer is a reminder that God is our ultimate source of strength and security in the midst of life’s challenges.

Jesus prays for the sanctification of his disciples in the truth of God’s word. To be sanctified is to be set apart. Through this prayer, Jesus sets his disciples apart for holy living and mission, calling them to be consecrated to God’s purposes and to reflect his character in their lives. Jesus’ prayer underscores the importance of spiritual growth and maturity in the life of the believer, as they are transformed by the renewing power of the Holy Spirit and shaped by the truth of God’s word.

Lastly, Jesus commissions his disciples to continue his mission in the world. He sends them out as witnesses to his resurrection and the coming of the kingdom, empowering them to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of all nations. Jesus’ prayer highlights the centrality of evangelism and discipleship in the life of the Church, calling his followers to participate actively in the spread of God’s kingdom and the fulfillment of his purposes on earth.