Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters
in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters
in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.
Hebrews 2:16-18
Today's Complete scripture readings can be found at USCCB
When Jesus was brought to the temple to be presented to the lord, Simeon told them that Jesus would be a sign of contradiction to the world. Today, we need to present ourselves and our children as a contradiction to worldly things to be more like Jesus. It is so much easier to blend in. We do not stand alone though, our loving God, "himself was tested through what he suffered," so that "he is able to help those who are being tested."
What do you have planned for today, in what ways are you doing something to just blend in, or help your children blend in? In what ways can you proactively be a sign of contradiction to the world.
Jesus, Help me and my family be a contradiction to the culture of death that we live in, to be a contradiction to the consumer culture, and too also be signs of contradiction to our selfish culture. Help us overcome our fear that comes from knowing that we will be vulnerable to suffering if we truly follow you. Amen
I've always liked this part of the first reading,
ReplyDelete"For he is like the refiner’s fire,
or like the fuller’s lye.
He will sit refining and purifying silver,
and he will purify the sons of Levi,
Refining them like gold or like silver
that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord."
I once read an article about how a silversmith actually refines silver. Someone asked him how he knew that the silver was done, and he answered: "When I can see my own image in it." Just as the silversmith refines silver, so is God refining us. And he will keep refining us each and every day so that he can see clearly see his own image in us!
I've also always loved the song "Refiner's Fire":
Refiner's Fire
my heart's one desire
is to be holy.
Set apart for you, Lord.
I choose to be holy
set apart for you, my Master,
ready to do your will.
May we always seek to be holy and do the will of God. May we be open to God refining us each day.