Tuesday 12 January 2021

Today is Tuesday 12 January, in the First Week of Ordinary Time.

Josh Garrels sings, ‘Turn your eyes upon Jesus’. Take a moment now to still yourself as you begin to pray and do just that: turn your eyes upon Jesus…

Today’s reading is from the letter to the Hebrews.

Hebrews 2: 5 – 12

Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels.

But someone has testified somewhere, "What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them? You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honour, subjecting all things under their feet." Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you."

Christ has come to save us. Looking around our world it is clear that, boy do we need saving! But how often do we think about and appreciate the greatness of the gift from God that was his Son?

The reading says all things were under him, but this is not through power and grandeur, but through his service and death. He is the Lord of all, who revealed himself to us as a poor and vulnerable baby, not through subjugation and domination. How do I see this baby? Who is he for me?

As you listen to the reading again, think about the ways in which you reflect Christ in your life. His actions were of benefit to all humanity. Could you say the same for your actions?

We are called brothers and sisters in Christ. How does it make you feel to think that you are Christ’s brother or sister? Offer that feeling to God now in the simplicity of your prayer.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.