The Feast of Saints Edmund Campion and Robert Southwell SJ | Thursday 1 December 2022

Today is Thursday the 1st of December, the feast of Saints Edmund Campion and Robert Southwell SJ.

One Hope Project sings, ‘Good Work in Me’.


Everything I have within
And all that is before me
Meet me in this broken place
Transform it for Your glory
I lay this life downfall into You now
A sacrifice of praise
Surrender to You, my loving Savior
I trust in Your great name
You will meet me in my hurting, Jesus
You are all I need
Your love will satisfy
I trust the plans You have for me
I will stand upon the promise
You've not forsaken me
You walk beside me in the waiting
You are doing a good work in me
(A good work in me)
Now when I'm faced with trials
I will choose your joy each morning
I trust You, though I'm terrified
So use me for Your glory
I lay this life downfall into You now
A sacrifice of praise
Surrender to You, my loving Savior
I trust in Your great name
You will meet me in my hurting, Jesus
You are all I need
Your love will satisfy
I trust the plans You have for me
I will stand upon the promise
You've not forsaken me
You walk beside me in the waiting
You are doing a good work in me
(Oh-oh oh-oh oh, a good work in me)
(Oh-oh oh-oh oh, a good work in me)
(Oh-oh oh-oh oh, a good work in me)
You are a God of transformation
Your presence carries restoration
You deserve my praise
There's power in Your name
You are a God of transformation
Your presence carries restoration
You deserve my praise
There's power in Your name
(Oh-oh oh-oh oh)
(Oh-oh oh-oh oh)
(Oh-oh oh-oh oh)
(Oh-oh oh-oh oh
You'll meet me in my hurting, Jesus
You are all I need
Your love will satisfy
I trust the plans You have for me
I will stand upon the promise
You've not forsaken me
You walk beside me in the waiting
You are doing a good work in me

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

Heb 11:32-12:2

And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, without us, be made perfect.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our reading today begins with a list of the people from the Old Testament, who suffered and endured terrible trials for the sake of their faith in in God.


‘Yet all these’, we hear “did not receive what was promised since God provided something better.’

The writer of this letter is addressing the Hebrews who have received this ‘something better’, who is Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of their faith, reminding them of the host of witnesses who surround them. More so, of the suffering that Christ himself endured, for the joy that was set before Him.


Imagine now that you receive this message personally:

Picture a letter arriving on your doormat, along with some early Christmas cards… you pick it up and noticing your name on the envelope …you tear it open…unfold the letter… then read these instructions which have been written for you…

“Lay aside every weight and sin that cling so closely.”

“And run with perseverance the race that is set before you…”

“Look to Jesus the pioneer and perfector of your faith.”

Perhaps some of these words have moved or challenged you?

Take a moment to talk with Lord about this.

As you listen to the reading again, notice how the writer describes great past suffering in faith, to encouragement for the present, then raises our eyes upwards towards the future glory.

Take a moment now, as you sit here, imagining you are still holding your letter alongside all that is happening in your life at present.


Now, can you look upwards towards Jesus who is seated on his throne?

Ask the Holy Spirit to make this image real to you today and to keep this before you as your day unfolds.

O Wisdom
Lord and Ruler
Root of Jesse
Key of David
Rising Son
King of the Nations
Emmanuel
Come, Lord Jesus.