"Listen, then, if you have ears."

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Hebrews 10:19-25

So, my friends,

We are assured of entering the Sanctuary, by the blood of Jesus who opened,

for us, this new and living way, passing through the curtain, that is, his body.

Because we have a high priest in charge of the house of God, let us approach,

with a sincere heart, with full faith, interiorly cleansed from a bad conscience,

and our bodies washed, with pure water.

 

Let us hold fast to our hope, without wavering, because he who promised is faithful.

Let us consider how we may spur one another to love and good works.

Do not abandon the assemblies, as some of you do, but encourage one another,

and all the more since the Day is drawing near.

 

Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

Mark 4:21-25

Jesus also said to them, "When the light comes, is it put under a basket or a bed? Surely it is put on a lamp stand.

Whatever is hidden will be disclosed, and whatever is kept secret will be brought to light. Listen then, if you have ears!"

 

And he also said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear. In the measure you give, so shall you receive,

and still more will be given to you. For to the one who produces something, more will be given;

and from him who does not produce anything, even what he has will be taken away from him."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

 

Christ is the Way; Christ is the Light. As the way to Paradise was closed to Adam and Eve after the Fall,

so now the way to the Heavenly Sanctuary is opened to us through Christ's sacrifice on the cross.

He himself is the way in; he is our Life, and we enter this new life through Baptism, which washes us clean of sin.

 

Now that Christ has given us access to union with God and the hope of eternal life, we are to desire that union,

and show that desire by acting with a sincere heart, with full faith, and clean conscience. Christ is the Way,

but he is also the Light. He shines a light on all our thoughts and actions,

so that if we care to look we will see what needs to be changed, what needs to be forgiven.

 

So we are not to ignore the light of Christ, by trying to cover it up so that the truth of our actions are not revealed.

Let us trust in him and allow ourselves to be changed by him, so that we can reach our heavenly goal.