HOW OUR SACRIFICES WILL TRANSFORM US - 1/16/23 (Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time)

Mark 2:19–20

“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.” 

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011623.cfm

Blessed Monday! The Pharisees were used to fasting just as how they were used to other external acts of piety like prayer. As such, they wondered when they saw that the disciples of Jesus were not fasting. The Pharisees were engaging in this practice of fasting because it's one of the rules that they had to follow. But, as Jesus responded, He gave a new perspective on the importance of fasting, which was also applicable to other forms of sacrifices. The disciples were not fasting precisely because the bridegroom, Jesus Christ, was with them. They were meant to take joy during the times that they were with the Lord. But, there would come a day that the Bridegroom would be taken away. And, this pertains to the death of our Lord on the Cross. Jesus tells us that fasting and other sacrifices point to His sacrifice on the cross. Not just that, but because the cross became the instrument for our salvation, when we make sacrifices, our union with God deepens, and we are transformed to be more Christ-like. 

In our Catholic faith, there are many forms of sacrifices that we can make. We can fast like what we do during the Lenten season when we take a minimal amount of food at least on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. We can abstain from meat, a practice that is often done every Friday. Besides this, we can also choose to detach ourselves from social media and other things which may be obstacles in our spiritual journey if we become more addicted to them. And yet, all of these sacrifices should lead us to union with God. It's not enough that we make sacrifices just for the sake of making sacrifices. Instead, these should be the means by which we are changed from within and as a result, we may bear the trials in our life, we may be patient with one another, especially those who even mock us or our faith, we may easily reject sins, and we may love God more. It's not easy to accept the sufferings in our life. But, if we trust in God and depend on Him always, we will be able to suffer while remaining in peace because we know that Jesus is with us in our pains and joys. May we also remember the promise of eternal life and heaven as we encounter numerous challenges in life. In heaven, we can be able to participate in the wedding feast between Christ and the Church. Our sufferings are so little compared to the glory that awaits us. Let's offer our sacrifices to God with this perspective, and as we aim at doing what is pleasing to Him, He will keep us safe in our journey towards heaven. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth