“For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed, how much more will the Blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.” (HEB 9: 13-14)

It is not only about the difference between “the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes” and “the Blood of Christ,” but also about any comparison between what is ours (our love, dedication or generosity) and what is His. “How much more” is always His answer for everything we do for Him.

“Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” (MK 3: 13-15)

When Our Lord “appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,” He gave them as a first task “be with him.” All other tasks—“he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons”–were a consequence of the most important one—“be with him.” When we forget about our relationships and we are focused only on things to do, we miss something important.

“God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them.” (HEB 7: 25)

Our Lord Jesus Christ “has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” Whenever we come to Him, hidden in the Gospel, He is always able to save us. He lives forever and forever is God who loves.

“Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him.” (MK 3: 1-2)

“They watched Jesus closely …so that they might accuse him.” How perverse can become the heart of man. Not to empathize with a man “who had a withered hand” and was cured, but to “see if he would cure him on the Sabbath so that they might accuse him.” We are happy watching Him closely with the daily readings, to see how much He loves us and how good God is. God is good all the time.

“Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“When God made the promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, and said, I will indeed bless you and multiply you. And so, after patient waiting, Abraham obtained the promise.” (HEB 6: 13-15) 

What God promised to Abraham, he obtained. It was God’s promise and His initiative. The only thing for Abraham to do was “patient waiting.” “Patient waiting” was because of Abraham, not because of God, who at the beginning of the world “said” and immediately “it was so.” “Patient waiting” prepares us to participate in God’s miracles, “enlightens the eyes of our hearts” and enables us to be grateful.

“May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Dear Readers,

On January 2-13 Fr. Jay will have is annual retreat in a hermitage with no access to media or even electricity.

Please, offer your prayers for the beautiful fruit of this important time.

With best regards

Małgorzata (aka “Margaret”) Rybak, the blog’s Editor in Chief

“As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God.” (GAL 4: 6-7)

Through the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God’s intercession, we participate in an amazing miracle—we are “no longer slaves but sons, and if sons then also heirs, through God.” Our Lord also gave us proof that we are sons: “God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out ‘Abba, Father!’” We can talk to Him, speak with Him, even cry out to Him, and He is always with us, always listening to us and always responding. We are His children!

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.” (Gospel Acclamation)