The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Monday in the Third Week of Ordinary Time, Year I, 23 January 2023
Hebrews 9:15, 24-28 <*{{{>< + ><}}}*> = <*{{{>< + ><}}}*> Mark 3:22-30
There is something so beautiful the author of the Letter to the Hebrews had said this Monday about your high priesthood, Lord Jesus Christ:
Christ is mediator of a new covenant… For Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself that he might now appear before God on our behalf.
Hebrews 9:15, 24
Indeed, Lord Jesus Christ you have opened the heaven for us sinful children of God; by your supreme sacrifice there on the Cross on Good Friday, we were cleansed of our sins and made holy to share in your eternal glory.
Yet, our minds and our hearts remain closed to this beautiful reality; like the scribes who had come to see for themselves your words and you works, O Lord, many of us not only refuse to believe you but have in fact accused you of many blasphemies like being possessed by Beelzebul!
But you are so open, O Lord, with all these false accusations and blasphemies against you; there on the Cross, the first words you spoke was of forgiveness for your enemies who do not know what they were doing; what a unique gesture not only of understanding but of openness even to us sinners.
Grant us the grace, Jesus, to have an open mind, an open heart, and openness to God's work in us and among us; enable us to admit and come to you to ask forgiveness, to be open to your grace, and most especially open to learning and discovering new things in life, most especially to being open to your coming, to your mercy for we are all weak and sinful. Amen.
