“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us.” (Hebrews 12:1.)
Saint Ephrem the Syrian offers the following insight on these verses from today’s First Reading:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” about the weight of our life, that is, about the fact that we have ahead of us a cloud of sad afflictions, which lead many who trust in Christ and die for him to honor, “let us lay aside everything” from us. . . . And “let us run with perseverance the race that is set for us” not only by our persecutors but by the devil himself.” (Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews)
“In 12:1 the solemn "That is why" does not just refer to the preceding sentence, but to all the section on the faith of the ancestors. The author makes that clear immediately by speaking of "such a great cloud of witnesses." The expression is surprising, however, because it inverts the relations: instead of showing the great believers of antiquity as models to be looked at so as to be able to imitate them, the author presents them as persons who are looking at us and who, having lived in full accord with faith, are in a position to pass judgment on the relation of our life with faith. Their presence "around us" is surely very stimulating. But it is not on them that the author invites his hearers fix their gaze, it is on "Jesus" (12:2).” (Cardinal Albert Vanhoye, The Letter to the Hebrews: A New Commentary. Paulist Press 978-0809149285, page 195.)
Collect
May the Virgin Martyr Saint Agatha
implore your compassion for us, O Lord, we pray,
for she found favor with you
by the courage of her martyrdom
and the merit of her chastity.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
implore your compassion for us, O Lord, we pray,
for she found favor with you
by the courage of her martyrdom
and the merit of her chastity.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Glory to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen
