February 3, Tuesday Weekday

They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.-- Psalm 22:(see 27)

Mass readings: Hebrews 12:1-4 / Mark 5:21-43

Our Cloud of Witnesses

''Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses . . . '' begins today's readings from Hebrews. The ''cloud of witnesses'' are the heroes of faith mentioned in the previous chapter of Hebrews, from Abraham down through all of Israelite history. We're not alone, the author counsels.

With all due respect to the heroes of faith in Israelite history and two millennia of Christian history, most of us probably feel a closer bond with the personal cloud of witnesses that surrounds each of us. Our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, teachers and pastors . . . all the people who taught us to walk the journey of faith. We have not only their example but their active companionship in the Communion of Saints. In that respect, every day is a gloriously cloudy day.

Prayer: Loving Father, thank You for my own cloud of witnesses.