Monday, January 28, 2019, St. Thomas Aquinas
Hebrews 9:15, 24-28, Psalm 98:1-6, Mark 3:22-30
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012819.cfm
JESUS SAVES US
Jesus "entered heaven itself that He might appear before God now on our behalf." -Hebrews 9:24
If we had sinned only once, and if that lone sin was the most seemingly innocuous sin, we are still guilty of breaking God's entire law (Jas 2:10). How could we then, with all our sins, ever get back into God's good graces? Nothing we could do would ever satisfy, make up for, atone, or expiate that one sin, let alone all our sins. We have all sinned and are deprived of the glory of God (Rm 3:23). In our sinfulness, we are filthy rags before God (Is 64:5; Jer 13:1-11). We are in danger of dying in our sins (Jn 8:21, 24) and suffering eternal condemnation in the fires of hell (Mt 25:41). Moreover, we cannot save ourselves (Ps 49:8; Is 26:18). This is bad news.
There is Good News. "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rm 5:8). He entered heaven on our behalf, for you and for me. He brought His own blood, shed for our sins, before Almighty God to satisfy, make up for, atone, and expiate every one of our sins (Heb 9:24ff). He didn't wait until we repented or even understood the damage our sins caused. He loved us first (1 Jn 4:19). We have only to repent, believe that Jesus loves us this much, go to Confession, and offer our lives to Him in return. "Now that we have been justified by His blood, it is all the more certain that we shall be saved by Him" (Rm 5:9).
Repent! Believe in Jesus' saving love for you. Receive His forgiveness and salvation. Then go and sin no more (Jn 8:11). Live as His disciple and make disciples of all the nations (Mt 28:19).
Prayer: Father, may I think of Jesus crucified if I am tempted to sin.
Promise: "Christ was offered once to take away the sins of many; He will appear a second time not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him." -Heb 9:28
Praise: St. Thomas, like his teacher St. Albert the Great, sought the Holy Spirit.
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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