Today’s New Testament reading comes from a section of teaching on faith in the Letter to the Hebrews: ‘And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets — who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. … And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect’.

St John Chrysostom commented: ‘Do you also consider what a thing it is, and how great, that Abraham should be sitting, and the Apostle Paul, waiting till you have been perfected, that then they may be able to receive their reward. For the Saviour has told them before that unless we also are present, He will not give it them. As an affectionate father might say to sons who were well approved, and had accomplished their work, that he would not give them to eat, unless their brethren came. … For if we are all one body, the pleasure becomes greater to this body, when it is crowned altogether, and not part by part. … To be glorified all together, is a great delight’.

As we long for the perfection that has been promised, let us pray for all who will follow us, that they in their turn will be made perfect, and that ‘all together’ we will be glorified. May God bless you this day.