A CONSCIOUSNESS OF SIN…

Hebrews 10:1-10 
1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices which are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near.2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered? If the worshipers had once been cleansed, they would no longer have any consciousness of sin.3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year.4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.
5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired, but a body hast thou prepared for me;6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God,’ as it is written of me in the roll of the book.”
8 When he said above, “Thou hast neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law),9 then he added, “Lo, I have come to do thy will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second.10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Mark 3:31-35 

31 And his mother and his brethren came; and standing outside they sent to him and called him.32 And a crowd was sitting about him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brethren are outside, asking for you.”33 And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brethren?”34 And looking around on those who sat about him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brethren!35 Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

MEDITATION 

THE FIRST READING: The writer underscore the fact that the OT animal sacrifices and offerings have been abolished, because it foreshadowed the NT Sacrifice, a true form fulfilled in and through the death of Christ.Moreover, if indeed the animal offering or Christ’s sacrificial offering had to be a once off cleansing event, believers would not have a consciousness of sin (v2).In other words Christ’s death and resurrection introduced a New Offering.

To sum it up; the Son of God was willing to offer up His life once and for all time so that whenever God’s people, the sons and daughters of Christ partake in the Thanks Giving feast—the Holy Eucharistic of the Mass—,then our act of worship is in concert with the elders and Christ (Rev 4:10;11:16-17) who “give thanks” in heaven whilst cleansing our venial sins.

THE GOSPEL READING: Soon after Christ nearly lost His cool upon receiving a private revelation that Judas was to betray Him, the Scribes used that moment when Christ was slightly unbalanced (Mk 3:34), to suggest that He was demon possessed to the extent that they chased Him away. To add insult to injury the belligerent crowd used an epitaph when they ordered Him to go to His mother!

From time to time we indulge in behavior patterns and or acts or speech that is unbecoming if not out of line, especially in cases when someone accidentally used the wrong word and or we misunderstood their message or we did not know that they are deeply troubled.Christians are called to inscribe Christ’s laws of love and charity in our hearts such that we apply asceticism and self-control. We are called to appeal to Mary our mother to pray for and conscientise us when we face miry bog conditions, in order to avoid giving in to the allure of Satan! Let us not avoid the occasion to clear our conscience to present ourselves to Christ at Holy Mass, by making an offering for the remittance of our venial sins.

LET US PRAY:Psalms 40:2,4,7-8,10-11

2 He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods!7 Then I said, “Lo, I come; in the roll of the book it is written of me;8 I delight to do thy will, O my God; thy law is within my heart.”10 I have not hid thy saving help within my heart, I have spoken of thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I have not concealed thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness from the great congregation.11 Do not thou, O LORD, withhold thy mercy from me, let thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness ever preserve me!

Commentary. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.