Reflection on Today's Readings, Wednesday, 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1, January 27th, 2021
Texts: Heb. 10:11-18; Ps. 110:1-4; Mark 4:1-20
The priestly service of Jesus Christ is unique, efficacious and effective; His sacrifice has efficacy that makes it superior to those before it, and none shall surpasses it in future. It is so efficacious that it is done only once and for all, that is, it has eternal merit. The one sacrifice wins us an eternal intercession. Today's first reading expresses the thought thus: "Every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified."
The eternal merit of the sacrifice manifests in the fact that the sins forgiven in Jesus Christ is no longer recalled, but wiped away for ever. This account for why baptism is not repeated, and the sins once forgiven at confessional is not confessed again. Hence, Holy Spirit is quoted saying, "I will remember their sins and misdeeds no more."
The reading also reminds us that a covenant is established through the sacrifice of Christ. In the new covenant, the law of God is implanted in our hearts. This law is the law of love, the love of God in our hearts. St. Paul says, "and a hope which we not let us down, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Rom. 5:5). He adds, "So it is proof of God's own love for us, that Christ died for us while we were still sinners" (Rom. 5:8). Having experienced the love of God in the sacrifice of Christ, we are filled with His love in return. With the love of God in our hearts, every law is fulfilled and we live above sin. Living above sin does not mean ability not to sin, but that his mercy is always available in abundance. As a children of God, we live not to sin, but if we do sin, His mercy always raises us up. Let me put it in the words of St John: "My children, I am writing this to prevent you from sinning; but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the upright. He is the sacrifice to expiate our sins, and not only ours, but also those of the whole world" (1John 2:1-2). When we sin, His love in us moves us to have contrite heart, a sacrifice that God does not reject (Ps. 51:17). When we have a contrite heart, we defeat sin and devil is put shame once again. Dear friends, no sacrifice offers us a safe refuge than that of Jesus Christ; let us not miss the opportunity we are given in Jesus Christ. In today's Office of the Reading, St Bernard says, "Where is a safe strong hold for the weak to find rest, if not in the wounds of the Saviour? There, safety is measured by his power to save. The world rages, the body weighs me down, the devil sets his snares, but I do not fall for I am founded on the solid rock. I have sinned grieviously, my conscience will be troubled but not in despair for I will recall the wounds of the Lord. For indeed, 'he was wounded for our transgressions'. What sin so deadly that cannot be absolved by the death of Christ? If then I call to mind such a powerful and efficacious remedy I can no longer be terrified by any disease no matter how virulent. Hence, it is obvious that he who said, 'My sin is too great to be forgiven' was in error. Except that he did not belong to the members of Christ and had no share in the merits of Christ" (Office of the Reading, p. 451).
Today's gospel reading reminds us that, though the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is for all, not all will reap its fruits. Those who have sold their hearts to the devil and their hearts are already hardened will find it difficult to reap the fruits of the sacrifice, for devil will always take it away from them. Those who are not ready to imitate the sacrifice stand the risk of missing the fruits of the the sacrifice.Those who are so much involved in affairs of this world will also find it difficult to reap the fruits of the sacrifice, for we are in the world but not of the world. The path represents those who have sold their hearts to the devil, the rock those who cannot imitate the sacrifice, and thorns those who are so much involved in the world. The good soil represents those whose hearts can love. Heart that can love will be ready to make sacrifice, and to leave anything for the sake of whom it loves. The affairs of this world will mean nothing to such heart, and neither will care of the world, the delight in riches and desire for other things hold it back. The love of God in our hearts is our strength and our victory over sin and death; let us love God and love Him dearly.
God our Father, we thank you for Your love made known in the sacrifice of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; grant that we may love You in Him and love You dearly. Amen.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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