13 April 2027 · Syro-Malankara Rite
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“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” Hebrews 5:7
Christ is risen! The Letter to the Hebrews today takes us back to the night before the Passion, and then forward to the Resurrection. “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” We think of Gethsemane, where the Lord prayed, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want” (Mark 14:36). And Hebrews says: he was heard. Not by being spared the Cross, but by being brought through death into the glory of the Resurrection. The Father's answer to the tears of Gethsemane was the empty tomb. This is a deep comfort for everyone who prays and seems not to be answered. The Son himself prayed with tears; he knows what it is. And the Father hears, often in a way we cannot see until later.
“Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.” Christ did not make himself a priest: “Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’” His priesthood is not like the old priesthood that passed from father to son and ended in death. Like Melchizedek, who brought out bread and wine (Genesis 14:18), Christ is “a priest forever.” Risen and ascended, he stands before the Father for us now. Every time the priest stands at the altar in the Holy Qurbono, he acts in the person of this one eternal High Priest, who offers himself and makes intercession for us (Catechism 1544–1548). Our Church has always loved this mystery: the Lord who is both the priest and the offering. Today the Panchangam also remembers Mar Seraphion, whose memory our calendar keeps among the saints; with all the saints he now shares in the prayer of the great High Priest.
The Gospel shows how the Son's prayer became ours. “He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’” The disciples watched Jesus pray and wanted what he had. He gave them the words we still say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.” To call God “Father” is possible only because the Son shares his own relationship with us; Tertullian called this prayer a summary of the whole Gospel (in substance). In our Church we say the Lord's Prayer at every hour of prayer and before Holy Communion in the Holy Qurbono. Pray it slowly today, at least once, thinking about each line. Ask yourself whom you need to forgive, and what “daily bread” you are anxious about. Then trust the Father, who heard the cries of his Son.
Theme: “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”
On Tuesday after the Second Sunday after Qyomtho: the tears of the Son, the priest forever, and the prayer he taught us.
“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications.” Psalm 116:1
“He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.”” Mark 14:36
Apply: Bring one sorrow to God in prayer this week, honestly, with the words of Jesus: not what I want, but what you want.
“The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”” Psalm 110:4
“Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25
Apply: At your next Holy Qurbono, unite your own needs with the offering of Christ the High Priest.
“Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141:2
“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!”” Romans 8:15
Apply: Pray the Our Father slowly once each day this week, and forgive one person by name.
The Son prayed with tears and was heard; the Father answered with the Resurrection.
Our High Priest forever teaches us to call God Father.
Take-home resolution: Pray as sons and daughters, bring your tears to the Father, and forgive as you have been forgiven.
Dear friends, Christ is risen! Hebrews says: in the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard (Hebrews 5:7).
He was not spared the Cross, but he was heard: the Father brought him through death into the Resurrection. When we pray with tears, we are not alone. The Son has prayed this way before us.
Christ did not make himself a priest. The Father said to him, You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek. Risen and alive, he offers himself for us at every Holy Qurbono and always lives to intercede for us.
The disciples said, Lord, teach us to pray, and Jesus gave them the Our Father. Let us pray it slowly today, forgive those who have hurt us, and trust the Father who heard his Son. Amen.
Children, Christ is risen! One day the disciples saw Jesus praying and said, Lord, teach us to pray. So Jesus taught them the Our Father. Do you know it by heart? Tonight, say it very slowly with your family, and think about each word. Jesus is teaching you to talk to God as your own Father!
Lord Jesus Christ, in the days of your flesh you prayed with loud cries and tears, and the Father heard you and raised you from the dead. You are our High Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek, living always to make intercession for us. Teach us to pray as you prayed: to call God our Father, to seek his kingdom, to forgive as we are forgiven, and to trust him in every trial. By the prayers of Mar Seraphion and all the saints, keep us faithful. You live and reign for ever. Amen.