First reading Hebrews 9:2-3,11-14
He has entered the sanctuary once and for all through his own blood
There was a tent which comprised two compartments: the first, in which the lamp stand, the table and the presentation loaves were kept, was called the Holy Place; then beyond the second veil, an innermost part which was called the Holy of Holies.
But now Christ has come, as the high priest of all the blessings which were to come. He has passed through the greater, the more perfect tent, which is better than the one made by men’s hands because it is not of this created order; and he has entered the sanctuary once and for all, taking with him not the blood of goats and bull calves, but his own blood, having won an eternal redemption for us. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer are sprinkled on those who have incurred defilement and they restore the holiness of their outward lives; how much more effectively the blood of Christ, who offered himself as the perfect sacrifice to God through the eternal Spirit, can purify our inner self from dead actions so that we do our service to the living God.
Responsorial Psalm 46(47):2-3,6-9
God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
All peoples, clap your hands,
cry to God with shouts of joy!
For the Lord, the Most High, we must fear,
great king over all the earth.
God goes up with shouts of joy;
the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
Sing praise for God, sing praise,
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
God is king of all the earth,
sing praise with all your skill.
God is king over the nations;
God reigns on his holy throne.
Gospel Mark 3:20-21
Jesus’ relatives were convinced he was out of his mind
Jesus went home, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.
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Remaining faithful to God
In today’s gospel, Jesus was misunderstood by His family members. They heard about all that Jesus was doing and teaching and decided He was “out of His mind”. Like us, Jesus experienced tensions in His family. Thus, He can identify our personal struggles with our family members because He Himself has been there. In these moments, He stays with us and accompanies us in these painful moments.
We will meet opposition from people, especially those closest to us, as we strive to live the Gospel values of honesty, truth, love, justice and peace. When we find ourselves rejected or judged for the gospel’s sake, we are invited again to look at Jesus. He did not do what His family wanted Him to do because He chose to remain faithful to God’s purpose for Him. Thus, we too are called to imitate Jesus and stay true to walk the path of God.
Reflective question:
Do I have the courage to follow Jesus and His ways even when I find myself in conflict with those dearest to me?
Do I have the courage to follow Jesus and His ways even when I find myself in conflict with those dearest to me?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
