Daily Readings - Mon Jan 27 2025
Hebrews
15And thus he is the Mediator of the new testament, so that, by his death, he intercedes for the redemption of those transgressions which were under the former testament, so that those who have been called may receive the promise of an eternal inheritance24For Jesus did not enter by means of holy things made with hands, mere examples of the true things, but he entered into Heaven itself, so that he may appear now before the face of God for us25And he did not enter so as to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters into the Holy of Holies each year, with the blood of another26Otherwise, he would need to have suffered repeatedly since the beginning of the world. But now, one time, at the consummation of the ages, he has appeared in order to destroy sin though his own sacrifice27And in the same manner as it has been appointed for men to die one time, and after this, to be judged28so also Christ was offered, one time, in order to empty the sins of so many. He shall appear a second time without sin, for those who await him, unto salvation
Mark
22And the scribes who had descended from Jerusalem said, "Because he has Beelzebub, and because by the prince of demons does he cast out demons.23And having called them together, he spoke to them in parables: "How can Satan cast out Satan24For if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand25And if a house is divided against itself, that house is not able to stand26And if Satan has risen up against himself, he would be divided, and he would not be able to stand; instead he reaches the end27No one is able to plunder the goods of a strong man, having entered into the house, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he shall plunder his house28Amen I say to you, that all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and the blasphemies by which they will have blasphemed29But he who will have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit shall not have forgiveness in eternity; instead he shall be guilty of an eternal offense.30For they said: "He has an unclean spirit.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the profound work of Christ and the gravity of our response to God’s grace. The first reading from Hebrews emphasizes Christ’s role as the Mediator of the New Testament, whose single sacrifice suffices for all sin. This contrasts with the repeated sacrifices of the old covenant, highlighting the eternal efficacy of Christ’s offering. The Gospel from Mark presents a stark warning: attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to evil is a sin with eternal consequences. Jesus’ response to the scribes underscores the seriousness of rejecting God’s Spirit.
The context of Hebrews is a letter to early Christians, possibly Jewish converts, explaining the superiority of Christ’s priesthood. Mark’s passage occurs early in Jesus’ ministry, amidst growing opposition, particularly from religious leaders. Both readings converge on the Holy Spirit’s role: in Hebrews, the Spirit’s work is seen in the efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice, while in Mark, the Spirit’s work is being wrongly attributed to evil, leading to severe condemnation.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to discern the Spirit’s presence and respond with faith. We must avoid the cynicism that leads to rejecting God’s work, instead embracing the grace offered through Christ. The moral lesson is clear: faith in God’s Spirit is vital, and deliberate rejection of this grace bears grave consequences. Let us remain open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, cherishing the redemption won for us by Christ.