Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: January 20, 2025

Date: Monday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: Hebrews 5:1-10

Brothers and sisters:

Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

In the same way, it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him: You are my Son: this day I have begotten you; just as he says in another place, You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. In the days when he was in the Flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading for today continues our reading of the Letter to the Hebrews. Today's text focuses on Jesus Christ as our perfect high priest, glorified by the Father and made perfect through His obedience to the Father and His suffering for love of us.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I strive to be obedient to the LORD’s commands of love?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, we lift our hearts and voices in praise of You and in thanksgiving for the gift of your beloved Son as our savior and high priest. Send your Spirit to tenderize our hearts and minds, making them receptive to your love and open to your will for us. Grant that we may strive daily to embrace your commands of love: love of You with all our being and love of one another and of self. Help us to follow in the footsteps of your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as we journey to life in You, with You, and through You. We ask this in the name of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.