Lean on Me
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
As I was praying with and reflecting on these words from the second reading for Mass this weekend, the song “Lean on Me” (Bill Withers, 1972), kept coming to mind. That was the year I entered the seminary and it became an anthem for me (and other guys) in our newly developing relationship with Jesus in the early days of seminary life.
“Sometimes in our lives, we all have pain, we all have sorrow.
But if we are wise, we know there’s always tomorrow.
Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on.
For it won’t be long til I’m gonna need somebody to lean on.
Please swallow your pride if I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs that you won’t let show.
You just call on me brother when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on.
I just might have a problem that you’ll understand
We all need somebody to lean on.”
Many of us were raised with an inadequate and even incorrect understanding of God’s plan for our salvation in Christ. Taught to fear and not to approach with confidence, taught to say our prayers yet though not to converse with the Lord honestly, taught to follow the rules and fear the consequences if we didn’t. Perhaps those veils can be lifted with a close reading from the Letter to the Hebrews today, and confidently come to Jesus and lean on Him. We all need somebody to lean on; how about Jesus?
Monsignor John Urell
