Daily Readings - Sun Jun 02 2024

³Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the rules. And all the people answered with one voice and said, "All the words that the LORD has spoken we will do."⁴And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.⁵And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the LORD.⁶And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar.⁷Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient."⁸And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, "Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words."

Hebrews

Chapter 9

¹¹But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)¹²he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.¹³For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh,¹⁴how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.¹⁵Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

Mark

Chapter 14

¹²And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, "Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?"¹³And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him,¹⁴and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?'¹⁵And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us."¹⁶And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.²²And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body."²³And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.²⁴And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.²⁵Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."²⁶And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Sermon

In today's readings, we journey through the establishment of covenants, highlighting the transformative power of sacrifice and commitment. The Exodus passage shows Moses leading the Israelites in a covenant with God, sealed with the blood of animals, symbolizing their commitment to follow His laws. This act is not just a ritual but a profound moment of communal dedication, setting the stage for a relationship built on obedience and trust. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus institutes the Eucharist during the Last Supper, offering His body and blood as the new covenant. This moment redefines sacrifice, moving from animal offerings to the ultimate gift of self. Jesus' words, "This is my blood of the new covenant," resonate deeply, indicating a covenant of love and redemption that transcends the old. The letter to the Hebrews bridges these moments, explaining that Christ's sacrifice is more powerful than any before, offering eternal redemption through His own blood, thus becoming the mediator of a new and everlasting covenant. Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded of the importance of trust and commitment in our relationship with God. Just as the Israelites trusted Moses and God, we are called to trust in Christ's sacrifice. The Eucharist invites us to participate in this covenant daily, transforming us and deepening our commitment to live as followers of Christ. In our lives, this means embracing sacrifice with love, trusting in God's plan, and finding strength in community. Let us approach each day with renewed dedication, allowing the power of Christ's covenant to guide and transform us.