Hebrews 9:2-3.11- 14;
Psalm 47 :2-3.6-7.5-9;
Mark 3 :20-21 Full Readings
Full Commitment to God's Work
Brethren, the first begins with a brief allusion to the two courts of the Temple of Jerusalem, the Holy Place with the implements of worship. This the priests entered often enough. But the inner court, the Holy of Holies, was the dwelling of the Name of God. It was so holy that it was entered only once a year, by the high priest on the Day of Atonement. Christ, however, bypassing both of these, entered the eternal sanctuary, carrying not animal blood but his own blood. This is brought out by the tearing of the curtain covering the Holy of Holies in the sanctuary at shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross. By this, Christ opened the gate to everyone to enter into the holy of holies. His purpose was not to wipe away the external ritual defilements but to restore our inner self. The blood of Jesus is the only acceptable sacrifice besides animals’ blood, which cleanses on the external. Jesus offers His blood in our Eucharistic sacrifice, cleansing the inner spirit of man. He continues to be for us that Minister who is ever working in our lives, having no time for Himself. We are to make ourselves available for Jesus to purify us truly and completely, so as to lead us into the highest sanctuary of God.
It is important to understand the role of blood in the sacrifices of the Old Law. It is not the killing that matters; the killing is only the means to release the life-giving and cleansing blood. Blood is the sign of life and has a fully positive effect. Once it ebbs away, life itself ebbs away. Therefore, as life is sacred to God and is God’s primary gift, blood is sacred to God and may not be consumed. Instead, blood is the most effective cleansing agent: it restores and renews life. Blood on the doorposts or on the sacred horns (or protruding corners) of the altar is a sign of new life.
The blood of Christ cleanses not merely the outward life but the inner self too. This is the importance of the Eucharistic blood of Christ, which cleanses us and in holiness gives us anew the life of Christ. Christ by shedding his blood the greatest love ever shown to a person. Mother Teresa says, “When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now” Christ doesn’t calculate or measure; he gives us all of himself. When we receive Christ in the Eucharist, he enables us to give everything, just as he does.
As we saw opposition and rejection in some last few Gospels, today in the Gospel Jesus is being rejected by even his own even calling him mad. Why would Jesus' relatives be so upset with him when he began his public ministry? On one occasion Jesus remarked that a man's enemies will be the members of his own household (Matthew 10:36). The Gospel of Mark records the reaction of Jesus' relatives when he went home: they came to seize him. They, no doubt, thought that Jesus must have gone mad or become a religious fanatic. How could a good home-boy from Nazareth leave his carpentry trade and go off to become a traveling preacher? To their way of thinking, Jesus had thrown away the security and safety of a quiet and respectable life close to his family and relatives.
Jesus probably expected to meet opposition from the highest religious authorities in Jerusalem. For him to meet opposition from his own relatives must have been even harder. When we choose to be disciples of the Lord Jesus and to follow his will for our lives, we can expect to meet opposition from those who are opposed to the Gospel message and Christian way of life. But the hardest opposition may actually come from someone close to us, a family member or close friend who doesn't want us to take the Gospel message too seriously. Later we shall see the new family of Jesus, those who listen to God's word and act on it. Do we belong to the new family of Jesus or you are still opposing Jesus?
Jesus was human just like us and had the same human needs that we do, but here we see how he was ready to give up everything. His family members thought he was crazy. But this was God’s answer to man’s need. God gives us everything. Sometimes there are so many demands in our lives that it seems like following Christ is crazy. Yet, as his disciples, we willingly follow his example and give everything we have. Jesus met opposition - whether from family, friend, or foe - with grace and determination to fulfill his Father's will. Are you ready to obey and follow the Lord Jesus even if others oppose your doing so? Are you able to show full Commitment to God's Work and will in your life as Jesus did?
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus, may I always put you first and find joy in doing your will. May your love and charity grow in me, especially in the face of opposition and adversity. Amen
Be be blessed
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