As we strive onwards to our eternal goal, we are given a bit of respite through today’s readings which speak to us about God’s tender compassion for his people in offering the ultimate sacrifice so as to atone for their sins that they could not possibly atone for themselves since they were committed against an infinite God of infinite dignity. These sins both weigh upon us in this life, and impede our entrance into the next. Jesus alone has given us an opportunity to truly overcome our sinful natures.
In the first reading we are told that the old system of sacrificing animals within the temple, the Holy of Holies, was an anticipatory rite which was unable to take away sin. It was a sort of covering up of sin which the Lord accepted, until the One Who would truly remove it finally came into the world so as to do so. This eternal High Priest, Jesus, offered one sacrifice for all sins – himself, and after so doing took his place at the right hand of the Eternal Father. We are told that, “… by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.” Our Lord Jesus, who is divine, only needed to lay down his life once, and not continually, because the life he laid down was the life of the God-man.
Given the infinite character of the Person who sacrificed himself for us, he is able to create anew that same sacrifice offered once for all, each time on our holy, consecrated altars at Mass through the words of consecration. To consecrate something means to lay something aside and reserve it solely for the service and honour of God. A cup that is consecrated becomes a chalice. A table becomes an altar. A building – a church, etc. Through Baptism, we have been consecrated to God, and each day we are pruned and given grace so as to truly live out that consecration in our lives. We are blessed, for not all people have been given the grace of baptism, or have been offered it, but refused it. We on the other hand are being fashioned by the hands of Almighty God as it were to be his presence in the world around us. Notice that our reading speaks of those “who are being consecrated.” That’s all of us who are in the act of continually being set aside, more and more, for God’s good purposes.
In the gospel, Jesus speaks about one of the tools and gifts he gives us so as to guide, transform and consecrate us unto himself – his holy and living Word. He clearly explains in other parts of the gospel that hearing his word and living by it is akin to someone building a house on solid rock, the strength of which would be able to endure all kinds of storms. But in today’s gospel he gives us various scenarios concerning how His Word is received by people with different circumstances. His Word is given for all, yet some people hear it, but immediately Satan is allowed to snatch it away from them. Others received it in momentary joy, but it doesn’t last, because there’s no roots for the seed to take hold and grow into something that can be sustained. Some receive it, but the so many worries and distractions in their lives overshadow it and drastically compromise its operation in the soul. But some people are prepared to receive his Word. Jesus speaks of
these as “rich soil into which the seed fell” … so a question is, how, as consecrated Catholic Christians, do we make our life like this rich soil which is able to absorb, more and more, the Word of God which is sown within it? The answer is to be found within that very Word of God which he has sent—a genuine relationship with our Lord, which opens up our hearts to his words.
This is our life’s calling – to continue to deepen our relationship with our Lord through implementing more and more what he has asked of us in our personal lives: a prayer life steeped in purity, humility, honesty, reverence, joy and thanksgiving.
We just need remember that none of us are completely sculpted yet. The divine artist is still working away on each of us, and though we make mistakes, his love for us will never change. Let’s confide ourselves continually into his hands because he knows exactly how to lead us. Our Lady, Masterpiece of the Holy Spirit, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Add comment
Comments