Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
(Hebrews 2:5-12; Mark 1:21-28)
Today’s first reading addresses the great question of
suffering. It tries to explain why
people suffer despite being redeemed by Christ.
The question appears academic until one suffers the loss of limb or,
worse, the loss of a loved one. Then
that person can see if the explanation in the Letter to the Hebrews has worth.
The reading notes that Jesus was made perfect through
suffering. The implication is that
suffering is the way to perfection. By
suffering without cursing God, men and women may conform their wills to
His. Jesus has won them justification of
sin so that their own suffering can merit perfection.
We might ask, why would we want to be perfect if the way to
perfection involves suffering? After all,
suffering involves pain, an antithesis to the joy we seek in life. We might answer our question by noting how
the reading calls those who suffer Jesus’ “brothers” (and sisters). In striving for perfection, we join God’s
family where we experience true happiness.
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