Sunday Reflection with Canon Robin Gibbons 20 October 2024

Baptistry Arians1

Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help." (Heb 6:15,16)

Some of the words in that quote from the letter to the Hebrews in our second reading this Sunday, might pass us by, such as the image of that Old Testament High Priest, not to be confused nor conflated with the ministry of priest/presbyters in the New Testament and Early Church, and this reference to the 'throne of grace' which we might guess at, but do not easily understand these days. The problem is of course language-metaphor, symbol, and image. How do we reconcile these ancient images for our pluralistic world. Many people have little historical understanding of any theology of the Temple and its High Priesthood. Nor an understanding of the 'mercy seat' as a place of contact with God, but also the place of propitiation for sin through the offering of blood.

I'm not suggesting that these symbols are dead, far from it, the term 'mercy seat' in Christianity moves us to focus on the sacrificial death of Jesus and the reconciliation of ourselves through and in Christ. It occurs in both the letter to the Romans where it refers to Christ as the one sacrifice for all, and in the Letter to the Hebrews where the description of mercy seat and the day of atonement lead us to see Christ as that greater atonement leading to the New Covenant sealed by his blood. Of course this affected the theology and worship of the Early Church and beyond, for we understand Christ as the one who was the fulfilment of God's promise, the one in whom all things are reconciled! For instance we use sacrificial imagery to describe our prayer, particularly our common prayer as a sacrifice of praise, and in particular the offering of the Eucharist as the unbloody sacrifice, not a representation but a continuation of Christ's offering so as share in the grace and gift of that unique self offering. It is Christ's gift of mercy to us all, 'and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross'.(I Col:20)

But what of the mercy seat and its link with us? The mercy seat was the lid of the ark of the covenant on which two Golden cherubim with outstretched wings protected the throne of the Most High, that invisible seat of the Unseen God, which was placed in the Holy of Holies. It was never seen, except by the High Priest on the feast of Atonement, when a propitiatory sacrifice of bull's blood was sprinkled on its surface. But the Ark disappeared, the Temple was destroyed and both Judaism and Christianity went their own ways. For us in Christianity, blood sacrifice was abolished because of the unique sacrifice of Christ, and instead of a day of atonement, mercy and forgiveness were and are offered freely to those who sincerely seek it.

As for the unseen presence of God at the throne, referenced today in our second reading, we can understand this in several ways. It is a place, yes, a point where we contact the Holy One in a situation such as those special places of pilgrimage, or it can be any point of physical contact, where the boundaries between worlds are thin. It is also personal, it is the connection with grace, found through our own encounter with Christ, for, as he teaches in todays gospel, it comes in this way: 'Jesus summoned them and said to them. " You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."( Mk 10:42-45)' it is in the 'mercy seat' of loving service that we so often meet the unseen God.

There is one last thought I wish to share, it is not directly about the 'mercy seat' but of another symbol, one which points us to another dimension of faith, that of expectation and hope. Within our Eastern Christian tradition, and also adopted from the Byzantines for a time in the West, there was often an image found in the places of worship, that of Christ's empty throne, known as the 'etimasia' or the prepared throne, ready for the coming of the son of man. Though it has no figure, on it were often seen the book of the gospels or a cross with a scroll representing Christ. Why do I mention it? Because of that place of enormous presence, the Holy of Holies and the Mercy Seat of the Unseen God! The 'etimasia' reminds us of that future coming of Christ in judgement, and of his unseen, abiding presence in Word, Sacrament and each otherm, pointing out in its eloquence, that now, for us, the mercy seat of God is found in a relationship of humble service, mutual love and forgiveness, by God's grace! Amen

Lectio

Psalm 36

Grail Translation, Conception Abbey

2 Transgression speaks to the sinner in the depths of his heart. There is no fear of God before his eyes.

3 In his own eyes, he flatters himself, not to see and detest his own guilt.

4 The words of his mouth are mischief and deceit. He has ceased to be prudent and do good.

5 In bed he plots iniquity. He sets his foot on every wicked way; no evil does he reject.

6 Your mercy, LORD, reaches to heaven, your truth to the clouds.

7 Your justice is like God's mountains; like the great deep, your justice. Both man and beast you save, O LORD.

8 How precious is your mercy, O God! The children of men seek shelter in the shadow of your wings.

9 They feast on the riches of your house; you give them drink from the stream of your delight.

10 For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light.

11 Maintain your mercy for those who know you, your saving justice to upright hearts.

12 Let the foot of the proud not tread on me nor the hand of the wicked drive me out.

13 There have the evildoers fallen; flung down, unable to rise!

Poem - The Mercy Seat William Cowper
No. 311, Sacred Songs & Solos

What various hindrances we meet
In coming to the mercy seat!
Yet who, that knows the worth of prayer,
But wishes to be often there!

Prayer makes the darkened clouds withdraw,
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.

Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;
Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.

While Moses stood with arms spread wide,
Success was found on Israel's side;
But when thro' weariness they fail'd,
That moment Amalek prevail'd.

Have you no words! Ah, think again,
Words flow apace when you complain;
And fill your fellow-creature's ear
With the sad tale of all your care.

Were half the breath thus vainly spent,
To heav'n in supplication sent;
Your cheerful song would oft'ner be,
"Hear what the LORD has done for me!"