Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

READINGS

Reading I Hebrews 2:5-12

It was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. Instead, someone has testified somewhere:

    What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you care for him?    You made him for a little while lower than the angels;  you crowned him with glory and honor, subjecting all things under his feet.

In “subjecting” all things to him, he left nothing not “subject to him. ”Yet at present we do not see “all things subject to him,” but we do see Jesus “crowned with glory and honor ”because he suffered death, he who “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels, ”that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering. He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers” saying: 

    I will proclaim your name to my brethren, in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 8:2ab and 5, 6-7, 8-9

R.    (see 7) You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.

O LORD, our Lord, how glorious is your name over all the earth! What is man that you should be mindful of him,  or the son of man that you should care for him?

R.    You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.

You have made him little less than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him rule over the works of your hands, putting all things under his feet.

R.    You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.

All sheep and oxen,  yes, and the beasts of the field,

The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea, and whatever swims the paths of the seas.

R.    You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.

REFLECTION

"You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands"

What does a Father give his son?

My sons can tell you that their Father taught them many good work habits and good moral values. He showed them how to plan and use time wisely, to be honest and follow through on promises, and to help neighbors when they can.

While my sons were young, we built our own home. The boys were 8,6, and 4 years old, but we gave them simple tasks to help us build. When it was time to stop working, we could play. They learned that families work and play together.

During the spring, we plowed a vegetable garden. Everyone could take care of a row. They learned how to cook their produce. Their dad liked to make a stew. As a result of his example, all three of our sons like to cook for their families today.

Helping our neighbors was a virtue that brought us to know the needs of those who lived near us. Our land was in Mississippi. We had neighbors within a mile down the road from us. If a neighbor needed help with their cows getting out on the road, we would go out and herd them back to their home. Or if there was a forest fire, we would all go out to beat out the grass catching fire and wetting the roof and sides of the house so the embers wouldn't burn the house down.

God the Father had given His Son rule over His creation. "You have made him little less than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him rule over the works of your hands, putting all things under his feet"... "All sheep and oxen,  yes, and the beasts of the field, The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea, and whatever swims the paths of the seas" God's Son will be in charge of His creation. The Father knows the Son and the Son knows the Father. Their Wills are in uniformity with each other and with the Holy Spirit, so they will rule.

Let us pray for all families to follow the example of the Holy Trinity and the Holy Family.