Tuesday 13^th January – Tuesday of week 1 of the year

Reflection: Hebrews 2: 5-12

OUR SANCTIFIER

“For the one who sanctifies, and the ones who are sanctified, are of the same stock; that is why he openly calls them brothers…” Hebrews 2:11

The word “sanctify” takes its root from the Latin word “sanctus” which means “holy”. Our Christian call is one of holiness. At our baptism, we received sanctifying grace which is God’s very life in us and it enables us to live in holiness, to live a life set apart from the world. God our Father is holy and if we must be like our Father, then we must be holy.

When we think of the call to holiness, we often become discouraged as young people. We tend to think of holiness as some far-fetched virtue that is attainable by only a few pious individuals. However, today’s first reading makes us realise that though we have a part to play in responding to the call to holiness, it is God Himself who ultimately makes us holy. God is our sanctifier and through His incarnation, suffering, death and resurrection He has paid the price for our sins and given us the privilege of becoming His children.

Dear friends, you are called to holiness and YOU CAN BE HOLY! All you have to do is to cooperate with the immense grace God give you each day. Without holiness, no one can see God (Hebrews 12:14). Sincerely ask God for the grace to grow in holiness and because the Holy Spirit, our sanctifier dwells in your heart, He will bring to your awareness the various ways in which He desires you to be set apart for Him. Let us look to the example of Christ who lived in this world but remained sinless and receive the encouragement to live holy lives (Hebrews 12:2)

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for your Spirit that dwells in my heart. Please help me to cooperate with Him as He desires to make me holy. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 342 – Are we all supposed to become “saints”?

Yes. The purpose of our life is to be united with God in love and to correspond entirely to God’s wishes. We should allow God “to live his life in us” (Mother Teresa). That is what it means to be holy: a “saint”.

Every man asks himself the question: Who am I and why am I here, how do I find myself? Faith answers: Only in holiness does man become that for which God created him. Only in holiness does man find real harmony between himself and his Creator. Holiness, however, is not some sort of self-made perfection; rather, it is union with the incarnate love that is Christ. Anyone who gains new life in this way finds himself and becomes holy.

HIDE A TREASERE: “For God has not called us for uncleanness, but in holiness” 1 Thessalonians 4:7 RSV-CE

Readings for Today: Hebrews 2: 5-12; Psalm 8: 2, 5-9; Mark 1: 21-28