the other readings for today are Psalm 97 and Mk. 1: 14-20
As we enter into the Season of Ordinary Time - the first part of which goes from the day after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord until Ash Wednesday, and the 2nd part going from the day after Pentecost until the 1st Sunday of Advent - our first reading today features the opening verses of the Letter to the Hebrews.
The author of this letter is unknown, and scripture scholars still debate whether it was written for Gentile Christians or Christians of Jewish origin. In any case, this letter's literary style is quite distinguished, with author switching back and forth between doctrinal teaching and moral exhortation as the letter unfolds.
In the first 4 verses of the letter, the author opens with a reflection on the climax of God's revelation to us in His Son. In the past, God communicated to us through the prophets and the patriarchs such as Abraham and Moses. But now, God fully communicates Himself to us in the Son, Jesus Christ. For Christ is the perfect and exact representation of the Father - including the creative Divine power - who enters our world to destroy the power of sin. After doing so, He returns to heaven and takes His rightful place at the right hand of the Father. Finally, He is far greater than the angels who also had a role in communicating the will of God to us.
The Letter to the Hebrews can be quite complex at times, but I urge you, dear reader, to persist in reading it. For it gives us further insights into the role of Jesus Christ, and God's never-ending desire for our salvation.