[Greek] ἀγνόημα (agnoēma), [Latin] ignorantia, [Old Norse] mistaka: ignorance, sin of ignorance, shortcoming, error; Heb.9:7
The Last Communion of St. Jerome: painting by Sandro Botticelli (1495)
“Our Lord Jesus Christ does not give communion with God only to one whom He separates from everyone else, but He bestows this honor equally on all, offering the grace of the priesthood as common to those who deserve it.” St. Gregory of Nyssa
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means fault of ignorance, oversight, and ignorance. Strabo’s Geography 7.2.4 states “And this same ignorance prevails also in regard to the rest of the people that come next in order on the north.” Polybius’ Histories 38.95.5 states “By this kind of appeal to the interests of the vulgar, everything he said was received with confidence, and the common people were ready to obey any order he gave, being incapable of taking thought for the future, but caught by the bait of intermediate indulgence and relief.”
Old Testament: This term, meaning error, unconscious mistake, and oversight, involves ignorance of God, lack of information, and misunderstanding. Also take extra money along, for you must return the amount that was put back in the mouths of your bags; it may have been a mistake (Gen.43:12).
New Testament: This term means sin committed in ignorance. It was only the High Priest who could enter into the Holy of Holies not without blood in order to offer the Old Testament sacrifice. It was believed that the blood, having life, was necessary for such a sacrifice. The blood represented a symbol of cleansing from sin and reconciliation with God. The exclusion of the people signified that they were not allowed to stand in God’s presence. In contrast, Jesus offers a superior sacrifice offering His Blood. Jesus’ sacrifice provides us with access to God.
Scripture:
“But the high priest alone goes into the inner one once a year, not without blood that he offers for himself and for the sins of the people.” Heb.9:7
Jesus offers a superior sacrifice as High Priest. Jesus offers up His blood to take away the people’s sins. Jesus provides us access to God.
Conclusion:
Ignorance, ignorant, mistake, agnostic
In the Greco-Hellenistic era, this term is used to convey ignorance (lack of knowledge). This term is also used to convey the gullibility of the people who are influenced by vulgar (base) instincts.
In the Old Testament era, this term takes on a more serious tone involving man’s relationship with God. This can range from simple misunderstanding to grave sin. Only the high priest can enter into the Holy of Holies. All of the other people are separated from God. This separation can be a form of wilderness or journey. It was necessary that the high priest offer blood, containing the source of life, in order to provide a proper sacrifice for the removal of sins and reconciliation with God.
In the New Testament, Jesus offers a more superior sacrifice. On the cross, Jesus offers His blood for the redemption of man. Jesus’ redemption provides man’s access to God
The Catholic Mass offers a bloodless re-presentation of Jesus’ sacrificial offering on the Cross. The community offers bread and wine to the priest. The priest, with the power of the Holy Spirit, changes the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, which is offered to the people.
In the midst of this current pandemic, Catholic and Christians have not been able to congregate together for fear of health concerns. In a sense, we are now also in the wilderness, not having access to God as a community. We can still pray and participate in Mass or communal gatherings by video streaming. Yet, each of us are experiencing a form of communion (we are in this together) in our isolation. When we experience such crises, oftentimes our true character (and flaws) come to the surface. Unfortunately, we also have in our midst covidiots who are stupid, selfish, immature, and reckless during this time. (Yes, that is a new term that has recently appeared).
While we are in this wilderness (pandemic), let’s not forget this: may your social distancing be wary and wise.