In the first reading from the Letter to the Hebrews we are reminded that Jesus is the author of our salvation. God the Father sent his Son into the world and he became man, capable of suffering and death. After a life of goodness and kindness, Jesus triumphs over sin and death by dying on the cross and being raised from the dead, thereby fulfilling God’s will. Now, through him and in him, we have access to the Father, which more often than not, may involve the cross in our own lives.

It is true that when we look at Jesus it seems we are so different from him. We feel that we can never attain his holiness, which is true. Yet we can at least share in his desire to do the will of the Father always.

And then, if we believe that he became man, in all things like us except that he was without sin, then maybe we can also do works for eternal life, the good works the Father wants us to do.

We must believe that God will help whoever desires to do good works. When we do good works, we glorify the Father. Our focus should not be on ourselves or our weaknesses and incapacities, but on the will of God. Jesus lived his life like this. So by looking at Jesus, our leader and example in faith and love, we hope to be close to him and to imitate him.