Council of Catholic Men Catechism and Bible Study 2026 January 21

In this week’s Council of Catholic Men study, we continue our journey through Hebrews with a focused reading and reflection on chapter 8. We look at the Douay-Rheims text on Christ the High Priest and drawing on footnotes and cross-references to Exodus 25:40, Acts 7:44, and especially Jeremiah 31’s promise of God’s law written on the heart. We consider how the Levitical priesthood foreshadowed Christ’s heavenly ministry, why the New Covenant surpasses the old, and what it means for us to receive mercy and to live as God’s people by forgiveness and fidelity. We then connect this to Christian identity in the early Church and today—looking at Acts 11:26 and 1 Peter 4:16—before exploring wisdom and justice in the Large Catechism of St. Peter Canisius, with supporting texts from Sirach 1 and 1 Corinthians 13, and the call to “turn from evil and do good” (Psalm 34/36[33/36]; 1 Peter 3). We close by honoring St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr, recounting her steadfast witness, miraculous protection, and the early veneration that followed—including the tradition of blessed lambs and pallia—inviting us to courageous purity and total consecration to Christ. Next time, we’ll pick up Hebrews 9 for a deeper look at Christ’s sacrifice and the New Covenant liturgy.