Reading 1
Heb 2:5-12
It was not to angels that God subjected the world to come,
of which we are speaking.
Instead, someone has testified somewhere:
What is man that you are mindful of him,
or the son of man that you care for him?
You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
you crowned him with glory and honor,
subjecting all things under his feet.
In “subjecting” all things to him,
he left nothing not “subject to him.”
Yet at present we do not see “all things subject to him,”
but we do see Jesus “crowned with glory and honor”
because he suffered death,
he who “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels,”
that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
For it was fitting that he,
for whom and through whom all things exist,
in bringing many children to glory,
should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering.
He who consecrates
and those who are being consecrated all have one origin.
Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers” saying:
I will proclaim your name to my brethren,
in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.
Ps 8:2ab and 5, 6-7, 8-9
Responsorial PsalmR. (see 7)
You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
O LORD, our Lord,
how glorious is your name over all the earth!
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
You have made him little less than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet.
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
All sheep and oxen,
yes, and the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
Gospel
Mk 1:21-28
Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers,
and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;
he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are–the Holy One of God!”
Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!”
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
All were amazed and asked one another,
“What is this?
A new teaching with authority.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
Meditation: Hebrews 2:5-12
“I will proclaim your name to my brothers.” (Hebrews 2:12)
The Letter to the Hebrews is a bit of a mystery. We don’t know who wrote it—or exactly when it was written! Paul probably didn’t write it because its style and vocabulary are so different from his writings. We are also not completely sure about its audience, but Hebrews appears to be directed toward a group of Jewish Christians who lived during a period of great upheaval, some time around a.d. 70, the year when the Temple was destroyed by the Romans. But despite all these unanswered questions, one thing is certain: Hebrews is a “message of encouragement” asking us to stay focused on Jesus (Hebrews 13:22).
The author of Hebrews was concerned that his audience had become discouraged in their faith, whether because of the everyday challenges of following Jesus or the unique challenges of living in a tumultuous time. Wanting to reenergize them, the author composed a letter to lift their gaze to heaven and deepen their grasp of the new covenant that was theirs in Christ. For him, it was all about Jesus.
Throughout his letter, as he urges his readers and us to persevere, the author keeps shining a light on Jesus. He tells us that Jesus is crowned with glory and honor (Hebrews 2:9). He calls him our High Priest who ushers us into the presence of God (4:14). He tells us that Jesus’ blood can cleanse our consciences from crippling guilt (10:22). He shows how Jesus became like us, and calls us his brothers and sisters (2:11-12). He points to Christ as the eternal, uncreated Son of God, through whom all things were made (1:2). In verse after verse, he shows us that if we follow this Jesus, we will find all the grace we need to run the race to its glorious finish line!
So as we pray today, and as we begin to read through Hebrews, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to us. Let’s ask the Spirit to show us how Jesus has atoned for our sins and how he is Lord of all creation—and of our lives! When we gaze upon Jesus, our hearts can become captivated by love. Desire for him will eclipse our problems, and trust in his mercy will overcome our guilt. We can run the race!
“Holy Spirit, help me to remain focused on Jesus all day today.”
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