Daily Readings - Sat Jan 23 2021

Hebrews

2For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.3And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;11But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;12Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.13For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Mark

20And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.21And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of sacrifice, redemption, and the challenges of following Christ in a world that often misunderstands His mission. In the first reading from Hebrews, we are reminded of the ancient Jewish tabernacle and the rituals of atonement. The tabernacle, with its Holy of Holies, was a sacred space where the high priest would offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. However, these sacrifices were limited, as they involved the blood of goats and calves, which could only purify the flesh, not the conscience. The author of Hebrews contrasts this with the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who entered the true Holy of Holies not made by human hands, offering His own blood to obtain eternal redemption for all. This passage emphasizes that Christ’s sacrifice is far greater than any earthly ritual, as it cleanses our consciences and enables us to serve the living God. In the Gospel, we see Jesus facing opposition and misunderstanding, even from His own family. Mark tells us that Jesus’ relatives thought He had gone mad because of the crowds that gathered around Him, and they tried to restrain Him. This passage highlights the tension between the worldly perspective and the divine mission of Jesus. His family, like many others, could not fully grasp the depth of His calling or the radical nature of His message. This misunderstanding serves as a reminder that following Christ often requires us to step beyond the boundaries of what is considered normal or acceptable by the world. These readings are connected by the theme of sacrifice and the challenges of living a life rooted in faith. The sacrifice of Christ, as described in Hebrews, is the ultimate act of love that frees us from sin and death. In Mark, we see that living in the light of this sacrifice can lead to misunderstandings and even rejection, as Jesus’ family and the crowd struggle to comprehend His mission. Yet, despite these challenges, Christ’s sacrifice gives us the freedom to live as children of God, unbound by the limitations of the world. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to embrace the radical freedom that Christ offers? Do we allow His sacrifice to transform our lives, even when it means facing misunderstanding or opposition? Let us remember that true redemption comes not from outward rituals or human efforts, but from the blood of Christ, which cleanses our consciences and enables us to live for God. May we, like Christ, be willing to step into the unknown, trusting in the power of His sacrifice to guide us.