12 January 2021

It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying,
‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’ .
Hebrews 2:5-12, NRSV

In today’s reading, we are again reminded of the humanity of Christ. We are told that like all humans, Christ had to suffer. We may wonder why it was necessary for Christ to suffer since he was already perfect. Perhaps when the author uses the word perfect in this passage, he is not speaking of the moral perfection that Christ had, but of completion. By experiencing the same pain and suffering that all humans experience throughout life and in death, Jesus became complete and showed his followers that they too will be made perfect through their suffering with him.

• • What does it mean to be called a brother or sister of Christ? 
  • What helps you to cope with and make sense of the trials you face in life?

There are many causes of suffering in our world today. Focus on one such cause in your own life or in the life of others, and bring this into your prayer.