Friday 29 January 2021

Today is Friday the 29 January, in the third week of Ordinary Time.

The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing the Benedictus: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, He has visited his people and redeemed them. As I enter into prayer today, I rest for a moment in the confidence that  - whatever may be going on in my life and all the challenges the world faces today -  God’s love redeems it all: ‘The Lord has visited his people and redeemed them’.

Today's reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews.

Hebrews 10:32-39

But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion for those who were in prison, and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting. Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great

reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet in a very little while,

the one who is coming will come and will not delay; but my righteous one will live by faith.

My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back.’
But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved.

This letter encourages these early Christians to keep their faith during times of persecution. Struggle, suffering, being publicly exposed and abused… Can you relate to any of these in your journey of faith?

Perhaps your faith has been challenged during the periods of lockdown, maybe you too have suffered. Talk to God about how this time is impacting your faith. 

As you listen to the reading again, notice particularly the tone of confidence in the passage… is this something you would like to have a greater amount of in your faith?

‘Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours”… As we draw this time of prayer to a close, spend a moment recalling today the persecuted Church and all people who endure great suffering for their faith, holding them before God in 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.