it is fitting but not necessary 1 - 1st week tusday 2015

Our first reading from the letter to the Hebrews narrates the humility of Jesus who was made for a while a little lower than the angels.  To become for a while a little lower than the angels means that Jesus became a human being like us, he shared in our fallen nature and made himself subject to the conditions of human life – sadness, pain, sufferings, and finally death.  Was it necessary for Jesus to go through all these in order to save us?  No.  The letter to the Hebrews says it is fitting, but it was not necessary.  God could have chosen other means to save us, after all nothing is impossible with God.  But God chose the way of suffering. 

 In Jesus suffering became the road to glory.  Why?  Our reading today does not give us the reason.  But St. Thomas Aquinas did.  Salvation cannot be complete if God simply saved us and pardoned us.  It can only be complete when God shows us the reason for saving us, it can only be completed when God reveals to us his motive for saving us.  And what is his motive - God loves us and he would not even spare his Son in his love for us.  This knowledge, for St. Thomas, completes salvation.  Bring this thought always with you.