Daily Readings - Mon Jan 28 2019
Hebrews
15And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:25Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;26For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Mark
22And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.23And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?24And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.25And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.26And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.27No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.28Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:29But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:30Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of sin, redemption, and the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives. In the first reading from Hebrews, we hear about Christ as the mediator of the new covenant, whose single sacrifice on the cross destroys sin once and for all. This passage emphasizes that Christ’s sacrifice is not repeated, unlike the offerings of the high priests in the Old Testament. Instead, he enters heaven to intercede for us, and his work of salvation is complete. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel shifts our focus to the spiritual battle at play. Jesus is accused by the scribes of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Jesus responds by pointing out the absurdity of Satan working against himself, and he warns that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit—an act of deliberate rebellion against God’s truth—is the one sin that cannot be forgiven.
These readings are deeply connected. In Hebrews, we see the definitive sacrifice of Christ that frees us from sin, while in Mark, we are reminded of the spiritual opposition we face and the gravity of rejecting God’s grace. Together, they call us to recognize the seriousness of sin and the importance of aligning our lives with God’s truth. The Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, is the source of all truth and holiness. To reject the Spirit’s work in our lives is to cut ourselves off from God’s grace and forgiveness.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine our relationship with sin and grace. Do we recognize the gift of redemption that Christ has won for us, or do we take it for granted? Are we open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, or do we resist his promptings? Let us ask for the grace to trust in God’s plan and to live in a way that reflects our gratitude for the sacrifice of Christ. May we never forget the gravity of sin, but also may we never lose hope in the boundless mercy of God, who desires to free us from all that separates us from him.