From today’s New Testament reading, from Hebrews: ‘Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek’.

St John Chrysostom commented: ‘He learned, he says, to obey God. Here again he shows how great is the gain of sufferings. “And having been made perfect”, he says, “He became the Author of salvation to them that obey Him”. But if He, being the Son, gained obedience from His sufferings, much more shall we. Do you see how many things he discourses about obedience, that they might be persuaded to it? For it seems to me that they would not be restrained. “From the things”, he says, “which He suffered”, He continually learned to obey God. “And being made perfect through sufferings”. This then is perfection, and by this means must we arrive at perfection. For not only was He Himself saved, but became to others also an abundant supply of salvation. For “being made perfect He became the Author of salvation to them that obey Him”’.

Obedience lies at the heart of monastic life, the same obedience given by Christ to the Father, most notably in Gethsemane. It belongs to us all through baptism – may it deepen in us as each day passes, and may we know God’s blessing through it this day.