A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand/HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Homily for Monday of the 3rd week of ordinary time

Hebrews 9:15,24-28; Mark 3:2-30

The first reading of today's liturgy tells us that "Christ, through his death (Heb 9:26), is the Mediator, the bringer of a new covenant, so that the people who were called to an eternal inheritance may actually receive what was promised" (Heb 9:15). Hence, he cancelled the sins that infringed on the only covenant.

By entering the heavenly sanctuary, not a man-made sanctuary, he appeared in the actual presence of God, and as the high priest made his appearance once and for all...to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. 

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, it is convenient to understand why at the last supper, Jesus took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Take this all of you and drink from it, this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins (Mt 26:27-28). St. Paul, further confirms this in his letter to Timothy saying: "The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinner" (1 Tim 1:15). 

Beloved in Christ, do you by words and deeds believe in Jesus Christ as the mediator and saviour of the human race?

The Gospel reading of today speaks of the accusation of Jesus by the scribes as the prince of Beelzebul. We are told that the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, 'He has Beelzebul, and the ruler of demons he casts out demons. However Jesus responded with the question: How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against it self, that kingdom can not stand. If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand but his end has come (Mk 3:22-26).

Satan, the ancient serpent (Rev 20:2), the Father of lies (JN 8:44), has been exercising power over all humankind since the fall of our first parents with his principles rooted in division and discrimination. Only but Jesus had the power to free humanity from the clutches of sin and death, and had given humanity the power as adopted sons and daughters of God to cry out Abba Father. 

Beloved in Christ, a divided self is already a defeated self. One who is divided by evil inclinations and passion is already heading for ruin. A family rocked by vices of all sort is already heading for division. Let us, friends in Christ,  work for union, Charity and peace in all that we do. Let us collaborate with the church, the kingdom of God to breed peace and unity. Remember, he who sows in Charity and in truth, sooner or later will reap its fruits. 

Have a blessed day

Fr Remi Osj