February 4, 2025 // Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Hebrews 12:1-4
Reflect on the Word //
My brother has recently started returning to a focus of faith in his life, recognizing the importance of this not just for him personally but for his family as well. This summer, I traveled to visit him for a few days, and as he was driving me to the airport he caught me off guard.
“Rach,” he said, “I just want to thank you and Paul for being examples of living the faith for all these years. Your caring about that made a difference for me.” My brother explained that just watching us make this a priority in our lives was a quiet witness to him. Our commitment to running the race was for him evidence of something good and was waiting for him when he was ready to recognize it. I was humbled, and I got a little emotional. I never thought in terms of being an example. My husband and I just did what we knew God was calling us to do—to follow Him, to make Him a priority.
“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses . . .” (Hebrews 12:1). I reflect on all the people who are part of the cloud of witnesses in my own life. Certainly there are the Saints and holy men and women within our rich faith tradition; what a gift! But there are also the people in my own life who have followed the Lord and have inspired me to pursue holiness. I see how they “persevere in running the race” and keep their “eyes fixed on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1). And I am thankful for how they have helped me grow in my own faith.
When others witness the faith to us, it reminds us—compels us!—to do the same. With the help of each other, we will not grow weary in running the race!
Relate to the Lord // Who is in your “cloud of witnesses”? Make a list of the Saints and people of faith who inspire and intercede for you—and thank God for them!
Rachel Balducci has a Masters degree from the Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia and teaches at Augusta University. She and her husband Paul have five sons and one daughter and are part of an intentional Christian community in Augusta, Georgia. Rachel is the author of several books and is the co-host of The Gist of CatholicTV. Find out more about her here.
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