Cycle C- 17th Sunday July 24th 2010
Standing between the Gap! – Ministry of intercession
I heard an evangelical preacher once preach on the topic, “standing between the gap.” He was referring to a special group of people who feel called to stand between God, on the one hand, and his people on the other, and intercede. That’s all they do in their spiritual life. They do not pray for themselves or for their own needs. They “stand between the gap.” This is a special calling, a special ministry. I am talking about “standing between the gap,” because as Catholics we are perhaps not as aware of the power of the ministry of intercession. Throughout Scripture, however, we find special people who bring tremendous blessings to other people through intercession on their behalf. No one should forget Esther who saved the fortunes of an entire nation by her earnest intercession (Esther 14:1-19). In today’s first reading, we see Abraham “standing between the gap” (between God and the people of Sodom and Gomorrah) and pleading with God to save them. As far as the Abraham’s intercession is concerned, his ministry was extremely fruitful; God did agree to save the cities, only if there were ten righteous people there in (Gen 18:20-32). In the book of Exodus, Moses interceded on behalf of the people who had sinned against god by creating the golden calf. He was himself willing to be destroyed so that the people might be saved (Ex 32:11-14). All these people “stood between the gap.”
The greatest intercessor is Jesus himself. On the cross he “stood between the gap.” It cost him his life, but we are the ones who have experienced the fruit of his intercession. That is why, in the letter to the Hebrews, the author says of Jesus, “Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God… Let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in time of need” (Heb 4:14 &16).
Three practical implications
Today's gospel reading is a teaching on prayer and intercession. From Jesus' teaching I would like to draw three practical implications:
First, it is a calling toward a deep and loving relationship with God.
Jesus’ message on prayer and intercession begins with the only prayer he ever taught his disciples. This prayer begins not with a petition, nor with praise, but rather, with a relationship. The petitioner first expresses his or her relationship with God. “Abba,” “Father!” Later in the reading God is referred to as a friend. The first point today is this: intercession is first and foremost about a deep relationship with God. In other words, intercessory ministry is not an activity that people engage in when they are in need. Rather, it is a calling toward a deep and loving relationship with God.
Second, Our salvation was dependent on his righteousness with God and others.
Intercessory ministry demands that those called live a righteous life. The Our Father teaches us to pray first for “forgiveness from God.” Intercessors must be sensitive to anything that can come between themselves, God and the people they are praying for; and sin is a major factor. The second part of the petition for forgiveness suggests that forgiveness is not an activity that is limited to God and the sinner. It involves the community. Our own forgiveness is dependent on our forgiveness of those who sin against us. In other words, intercession is a ministry of sacrifice, of humility, of servanthood. It demands that the intercessor put their own needs behind the needs of others. It demands that they be willing to sacrifice themselves for the benefit of those they pray for. Now we can, perhaps, understand why it was important for Jesus to forgive those who had sinned against him before his sacrifice on the cross could become an intercession before the father. Our salvation was dependent on his righteousness with God and others.
Third, Intercession is a ministry of deep faith and confidence in God.
“Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; and the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks the door will be opened.” An intercessor must have absolute confidence that God, the Good Heavenly Father (unlike earthly wicked fathers) is eager to give good gifts to his children. Getting good things from the Father is not like pulling tooth. Having done that, we must leave the rest to the eternal wisdom and knowledge of the Father. Our confidence must include the faith that God will answer our petition in our best interest. I did pray that my travel back be timely and safe. If that prayer was answered the first time, I would not be there for my father when he had his heart attack. My travel plans were disrupted but only for a greater good. Intercession is a ministry of faith in the goodness of God.
To discern the call to be an intercessor is to be in league with Moses, Abraham and Jesus himself. It is a special call. I hope some of you at least will feel called. I hope small communities of intercessors can emerge. In fact, I strongly urge you to pray this week and discern if this might be a ministry you might want to serve in.
As we celebrate this Eucharist let us approach the throne of grace with confidence so that Jesus the greatest intercessor can provide for the needs of the world. Amen.
