Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Today's readings go together marvelously well. In the first reading from the Letter to the Hebrews, we read about Jesus' identity as He to Whom all things have been subjected, but Who has humbled Himself through His suffering and death. In the responsorial psalm, we find Psalm 8, the psalm referred to by the first reading from Hebrews. Finally, in today's Gospel reading from the Gospel of Mark, we find again Jesus' divine identity at the center of the action. One thing I think we can highlight from today's reading is taken right from the first reading from Hebrews, that all has been made subject to Jesus. This should give us great hope. Even with this, Jesus tasted death for all of us. Jesus suffered death so that we might enjoy everlasting life. He tasted death, so that we might taste paradise. But He is not dead. He is risen. Jesus' power over all, including over death, is great cause of hope and for joy.

We find this power, where all has been made subject to Christ, demonstrated in today's Gospel reading from Mark, where even the evil spirit is subject to Him. Let us rejoice in the knowledge that everything is subject to Christ. Whenever we face a difficulty in our daily lives, let's recall that God is in control. Jesus will help us get through any difficulty. He is the one Who has passed through death into life, so that we might follow where He leads. There is no longer any reason for despair. Let us bring our sufferings, our worries and concerns, all of our difficulties to God in prayer.

Are there specific things beyond our control that we can bring to Christ today? Are there situations we can subject Christ. Let us in an act of faith bring all things to Christ. Let us ask Jesus to help us get through when times get tough.

Jeff Morrow