Wednesday 15 January 2025

Today is Wednesday the 15th of January in the 1st week of Ordinary Time. The Community of Taizé sing Misericordias Domini. ‘I will sing forever of the mercy of God.’ Today’s reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews. Hebrews 2:14-18 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. “[Jesus] had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect”. What does this mean to you? How often do you reflect on Jesus as a “merciful and faithful high priest”? You might like to take a moment to do this now… Now listen as the passage is read once more. is there a word or a phrase that really speaks to you? “Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.” With these words in mind, you might like to bring to Jesus a situation in your own life, or perhaps that of someone else who is suffering and being tested, and ask our merciful and high priest for help 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.