Ordinary Time

January 27, 2022

Scripture Reading: 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.

Have we lost the art of empathy and compassion? Are we trading it for self-rightlessness and greed as we are encouraged on every side to think we are better than others, and that others are people we should fear? Franklin Roosevelt cautioned the people caught in the snares of deep depression and drought that the only thing we have to fear is…fear itself.

The Hebrews scripture above tells us that Christ did not come to help angels but flesh and blood people—that is us. Why did we need help? The people of God had training from the beginning in how to live a life that would serve the tests of time. God sent prophets to remind our ancestors in the faith of God’s formula for an abundant life. Yet, many longed for the world’s definition of abundance rather than God’s, and each time, too late, they learned the error of their way.

I suppose we have always had some element of such distractions but today we are surely caught in not only a viral pandemic but also a pandemic of the soul. God’s ways are still out there for us to follow, Christ’s messages are readily available, but are we willing to seek God’s higher ground?

Prayer: Lord, open our lives to living in your abundance. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.