Commentators find it hard to identify when and where the Letter to the Hebrews was written and who wrote it. The early theologian Origen said “only God knows.”

Most say the Letter to the Hebrews was written for early Jewish Christians at a time of persecution who are trying to figure out how their new faith is related to the religion of their ancestors. There’s a strong opinion the letter was written for Jewish Christians in Rome and it originated there. 

The Christians in Rome early on were predominantly Jewish Christians. Nero blamed them for the fire that occurred in Rome in 64 and destroyed the city. Many of them, including Peter and Paul, were put to death in the late 60s. It was the first great persecution of the early church. 

Then, only a few years later the Jewish wars began.Titus and his armies destroyed Jerusalem and its temple in the year 70.  Roman Christians, the majority converted Jews, saw him return triumphantly to Rome carting spoils and slaves from Jerusalem.

They would have to wonder what was coming next and whether their faith was worth it. 

We can hear in our lectionary readings for Monday the author of Hebrews appealing to their Jewish tradition, calling them to hang on, to be brave, reminding them of Jewish heroes who braved death and every kind of persecution. 

A few days before we heard in this letter: “Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy.We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.”  Hebrews  10:19-25  

This isn’t a time for laying low and hiding your faith, the letter says.This a time to profess your faith. 

Today, the author of Hebrews reminds his readers, including us, that besides this great cloud of witnesses, to keep our eyes fixed on the great witness, Jesus, “the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.” ( Hebrews 12:1-4)

Along with the Letter to the Hebrews the Gospel of Mark was written at the same time in Rome for the same audience, some commentators believe. It portrays the witness of Jesus  who, after being acclaimed in Galilee, goes to Jerusalem to endure death on a cross. 

I admire the compilers of our lectionary who paired the Letter to the. Hebrews with the Gospel of Mark. As will as providing more readings from scripture, they have helped us have insight into the history of the early church. Those who compiled our calendar of saints taken from every time and place have also provided us with an historical sense for understanding our church. 

The liturgy is a way of prayer, but it’s also a book of theology and history. It’s our catechism. All we have to do is read it.