Daily Readings - Mon Jan 23 2023
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
In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on God's power and redemption. The first reading from Hebrews presents Jesus as the mediator of the new covenant, whose singular sacrifice once and for all redeems our transgressions. This text emphasizes that Jesus's death was sufficient to destroy sin, contrasting it with the repeated sacrifices of the old covenant. It invites us to trust in the completeness of Christ's work, assuring us that His sacrifice was enough for our salvation.
The Gospel from Mark shifts our focus to Jesus's ministry, where He faces accusations from the scribes who attribute His power to Beelzebub. Jesus counters this by illustrating the illogic of a divided kingdom and introduces the metaphor of binding the strong man, symbolizing His triumph over Satan. Crucially, He warns against blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, highlighting the gravity of rejecting God's work in our lives. This serves as a reminder to remain open to the Holy Spirit's guidance and to avoid a hardened heart that refuses God's truth.
Together, these readings connect through their themes of redemption and the consequences of rejection. Hebrews underscores the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice, while Mark warns against the spiritual peril of rejecting God's work. In our daily lives, this calls us to trust in God's plan and to remain attentive to the Holy Spirit's presence. Let us approach life with humility, embracing God's grace and avoiding the temptation to dismiss His active role in our world. May we find hope in Christ's sacrifice and remain vigilant against the dangers of a spirit that resists God's love.