16 April 2027 · Syro-Malankara Rite
Open in the Daily Word appAlso: Syro-Malabar Rite · Latin Rite · മലയാളം
“For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.” Hebrews 9:15
Christ is risen! On this Friday of the Easter season the Letter to the Hebrews speaks of the Lord's death, but as something that has already borne its fruit. Jesus “is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.” The Letter plays on a word that in Greek means both “covenant” and “will.” A will takes effect only when the one who made it has died; until then the heirs receive nothing. So with us: by his death on the Cross, Christ made the inheritance ours. Then the Letter recalls Mount Sinai, where Moses took the blood of the sacrifice, sprinkled the book and the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you.” In the Upper Room Jesus took the cup and used those very words of himself: “this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). And here is the wonder of Easter: in every other will the one who makes it stays dead. Our testator rose on the third day, and he himself now hands the inheritance to his heirs.
The Gospel takes us to a meal. Jesus is a guest in the house of a leader of the Pharisees, and he notices “how the guests chose the places of honor.” He tells them: “When you are invited... go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’” This is more than good manners. It describes the way of Jesus himself, who “humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death” (Philippians 2:8), and whom the Father raised and exalted. “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Then Jesus turns to his host: do not invite only those who can invite you back, but “invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” St John Chrysostom urged the families of Antioch to keep a room in their homes for Christ, that is, for the poor stranger, and to set a place for him at their table (in substance).
Notice the Easter word at the end of the Gospel: “the resurrection of the righteous.” Because Christ is risen, a kindness that is never returned on earth is not lost. It is stored up with God. Our Kerala celebrations know the struggle Jesus describes: the seating at a wedding, the chairs kept for important guests, the gift lists, the invitations sent with an eye to who will invite us back. This week, turn one of these customs around. Invite someone to your table who cannot repay you; give a gift that will not be recorded; at a function, take the lower chair gladly. And remember that at the Holy Qurbono every one of us is a guest who has been called up higher. We come not because we have earned the place, but because the host has said, “Friend, come.” The blood of the new covenant is given to sinners, and the inheritance is offered to all who are called.
Theme: “You will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
On this Easter Friday: the blood of the new covenant, the lowest place, and the generosity that waits for the resurrection.
“Moses took the blood and dashed it on the people, and said, “See the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”” Exodus 24:8
“For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:28
Apply: Before receiving Holy Communion this week, thank the Lord in silence for one gift of his covenant.
“Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great; for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.” Proverbs 25:6–7
“He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death” Philippians 2:8
Apply: At your next gathering, choose the lower seat gladly and serve others first.
“Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, “Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.”” Deuteronomy 15:11
“Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?” James 2:5
Apply: Share a meal this week with someone who cannot repay you.
By his Blood Christ made us heirs, and by his Resurrection he gives us the inheritance.
Those who take the lowest place and open their tables to the poor will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
Take-home resolution: This week, give one gift and one place of honour to someone who can never pay you back.
Dear friends, Christ is risen! The Letter to the Hebrews says that Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance (Hebrews 9:15).
A will takes effect only after death. Christ died, and his will is in force: forgiveness, adoption, eternal life. But this testator rose again on the third day. He himself gives us what he left us, especially his own Body and Blood in the Holy Qurbono.
In the Gospel Jesus watches the guests choosing the best seats, and he says: go and sit down at the lowest place (Luke 14:10). That is his own way. He took the lowest place on the Cross, and the Father raised him up. Then he tells the host to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind, because they cannot repay, and you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous (Luke 14:14).
Because Christ is risen, no unreturned kindness is wasted. This week let us take a lower seat gladly, and invite to our table someone who cannot invite us back. Amen.
Children, Jesus once saw people pushing to get the best chairs at a party. He said: go and sit in the last chair, and the host will call you up! He also said: when you have a party, invite people who are poor or sick, who cannot invite you back. God will reward you. Can you share something today with someone who cannot give you anything in return?
Lord Jesus Christ, mediator of the new covenant, by your death you made us heirs of the eternal inheritance, and by your Resurrection you live to give it to us. Teach us your humility, that we may take the lowest place without bitterness and rejoice when others are honoured. Open our hands and our homes to the poor, the sick and the lonely, who cannot repay us, and keep our hope fixed on the resurrection of the righteous. You live and reign for ever. Amen.