SAINT BLAISE, BISHOP AND MARTYR (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

Strive for . . . that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Coaches and teachers often use pep talks to motivate their charges and instill in them the determination to work hard. In some ways, this reading from the Letter to the Hebrews is like that. The author is speaking to Jewish Christians who were growing weary of the demands of the Christian life. Their faith was becoming lukewarm, and they were tempted to give up and walk away.

So the author urges them on. Acknowledging their struggle against sin, he exhorts them to get back up: “Strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees” (Hebrews 12:12). This is no time to slack off, he seems to be saying. Get up and keep going!

Don’t we all need a pep talk now and then as we try to live a holy life? It’s not easy to keep battling temptations, or to feel unable to stop committing the same sins over and over again. It wears us down. We may even begin to wonder why we have chosen this narrow road when there are so many other people on the wide road who seem to be enjoying themselves!

The Lord understands our many struggles to follow his commandments, to love our enemies, and to care for those around us. He sympathizes with our pain. After all, he became human just like us. But as the author of Hebrews says, the trials we endure are like the discipline that any good parent would use to form his child. That discipline might feel painful at the time, but there’s a great reward in store for us when we persevere and cling to Christ: the peace that comes from living in a way that is pleasing to him (Hebrews 12:11).

Yes, God wants us to strive for holiness. But he doesn’t expect us to do it on our own. He freely showers his grace on us, each and every time we ask. So take heart! Our Father is not only a good parent, but he’s also a good coach, and he’s cheering you on toward the finish line.

“Father, give me the grace to stay on the narrow road to life.”

Psalm 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18
Mark 6:1-6
Hebrews 12:4-7, 11:15

WORD AMONG US