Here is part of today’s New Testament reading, from Hebrews: ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God’

St John Chrysostom commented: ‘The memory of those holy men, re-establishes and recovers the soul which had been weighed down by woes, as a cloud does him who is burnt by the too hot rays [of the sun.] And he did not say, lifted on high above us, but, compassing us about, which was more than the other; so that we are in greater security. What sort of cloud? A load of witnesses. With good reason he calls not those in the New [Testament] only, but those in the Old also, witnesses [or martyrs]. For they also were witnesses to the greatness of God, as for instance, the Three Children, those with Elijah, all the prophets. Laying aside all things. All: what? That is, slumber, indifference, mean reasonings, all human things. And the sin which does [so] easily beset us … Let us run with patience (he says) the race that is set before us. He did not say, Let us contend as boxers, nor, Let us wrestle, nor, Let us do battle: but, what was lightest of all, the [contest] of the foot-race, this has he brought forward’.

Let us run then, with perseverance, the race that is set before us, with our gaze upon Jesus, who is Himself the Way; and may God bless you this day.