From our New Testament reading, from Hebrews: ‘But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone’.

St John Chrysostom commented: ‘But, he says, “we see Him who was made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, for the suffering of death” – then the good things again – “crowned with glory and honour”. Do you see, how all things apply to Him? For the [expression], “a little”, would rather suit Him, who was only three days in Hades, but not ourselves who are for a long time in corruption. Likewise also the [expression] “with glory and honour” will suit Him much more than us. Again, he reminds them of the Cross, thereby effecting two things; both showing His care and persuading them to bear all things nobly, looking to the Master. For (he would say) if He who is worshipped of Angels, for your sake endured to have a little less than the Angels, much more ought thou who art inferior to the Angels, to bear all things for His sake. Then he shows that the Cross is glory and honour, as He Himself also always calls it, saying, “That the Son of Man might be glorified”; and, “the Son of Man is glorified”’.

Today, may we draw near to the Cross of Christ, finding in it our hope and our salvation; and may God bless you.