Thursday 4 February 2021

Today is Thursday the 4 February, in the 4th week of Ordinary Time. 

The University of Johannesburg choir sing, 'Peace in this world of sin the blood of Jesus brings. Redemption in this world of sin the blood of Jesus brings'.

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

Hebrews 12.18-19, 21-24

You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. 

Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, ‘I tremble with fear.’) But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

In today’s passage Moses’ experience of God on Mount Sinai is contrasted with the Christian vision of God in the heavenly Jerusalem. Notice the difference between the two encounters with God. The first is terrifying, the second life-giving and full of joy and beauty. Which elements of this passage resonate with your experience of God?

On Mount Sinai many were excluded, on Mount Zion all are invited. Through Jesus God has become accessible to all, including you.

How does it feel to be invited into the Kingdom of God?
What do you want to say to Jesus about this invitation?

As you listen again, picture in your mind the scene being described in the heavenly Jerusalem. What especially appeals to you?

In these closing moments give thanks to God for this vision of your future.

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.