Wednesday 27 January 2021

Today is Wednesday the 27 January, in the 3rd week of Ordinary Time.

One Hope Project sings ‘Romans 5:8’.

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

Hebrews 10:11-18

And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, ‘he sat down at the right hand of God’, and since then has been waiting ‘until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.’ For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,

‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord:

I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds’,

he also adds,
‘I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’
Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Today, we’re given the picture of a priest offering the same sacrifice day after day as an atonement for the sins of the people. Is there something that you do, perhaps unknowingly, to try to atone for your own sin, hoping that God might look upon you with forgiveness or favour?

We hear that Christ has already offered a single sacrifice for our sin. Is this easy or difficult to grasp? Where can you recognise this grace in your life?

As you hear the reading again, listen out for God’s promises for those who are sanctified through Christ’s sacrifice.

‘I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.’ What do these words mean for you today? Gather your thoughts and feelings in a response to the Lord as we prepare to close this time of prayer today.

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.