21 Jan 2023 – Saturday of Week 2

21 Jan 2023 – Saturday of Week 2

Memorial: St Agnes, martyred in early 4th century. Patron of engaged couples, gardeners and young girls.

1st Reading: Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14

Jesus enters the Holy of Holies, so we can serve the living God

A tent was constructed, the first one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence; this is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a tent called the Holy of Holies. In it stood the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which there were a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot speak now in detail.

Such preparations having been made, the priests go continually into the first tent to carry out their ritual duties; but only the high priest goes into the second, and he but once a year, and not without taking the blood that he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people. By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the sanctuary has not yet been disclosed as long as the first tent is still standing. This is a symbol of the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshipper, but deal only with food and drink and various baptisms, regulations for the body imposed until the time comes to set things right.

But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent, not made with hands, that is, not of this creation, he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God.

Responsorial: Psalm 46:2-3, 6-9

R./: God mounts his throne to shouts of joy;
a blare of trumpets for the Lord. (R./)

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. (R./)

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. (R./)

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. (R./)

Gospel: Mark 3:20-21

Jesus is mobbed; and his relatives fear he is out of his mind

Jesus went home; and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.”

Total dedication

Jesus was so dedicated to his healing ministry that sometimes he hardly had time to eat. His dealing with the crowds was often so hectic that his relatives thought him out of his mind. They planned to lock him up, thinking him out of his mind. Up to that time at least, they did not sympathise with his aims and activity. But we who are nourished by his life-giving blood are drawn into sharing his ministry. We care for for others as our brothers and sisters, in their search for love, understanding, healing and new life.

Hebrews says that we are united with God through the blood of Jesus. The blood symbol refers to life rather than death, though it was by his death that the veil of the temple was rent in two and Jesus entered into the Father’s presence. His death on the cross became the supreme sign of loving dedication to us, to bring us to the Father.