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     The first scripture these days is being taken from the Letter to the Hebrews, a kind of extended homily dating to the end of the first century.  At one time it was thought to have been composed by St. Paul, but most scripture scholars nowadays do not hold to that theory.  Some of the themes, however, echo things that come from Pauline preaching.  There are many important things in this NT book that merit our attention and today's passage is no exception.

     In today's passage, the author is exhorting the Christian community not to get discouraged in the effort to be faithful to Christ.  In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, I hear continually of the struggles that people face in that effort.  Christianity requires a daily attention to the teachings of Jesus and how they can be applied in ordinary life.  The attractions of secular pleasure (especially the internet!), the tensions of family life, workplace difficulties, health concerns - all of these can bring out the worst in us if we let them.  I will often say to a student who is discouraged by a regular moral failing: "When you wake up in the morning and put your feet on the floor, say to the Lord: 'Nothing can happen today that you and I can't handle together!'"

     Christianity is an "everyday" faith, not just a Sunday obligation.  The everydayness of it means we must encourage one another in the effort to build a better way of living!   Problems that continually test us can lead to a kind of "what's the use" attitude that creates the "hardness of heart" which the Letter to the Hebrews is warning against.  Real love and forgiveness become special not by being "once in awhile" but by being a "constant."  AMEN