Tuesday 27^th January – Tuesday of week 3 of the year

Reflection: Hebrews 10: 1-10

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

“You Are What You Eat” was the theme of a dieting programme aired between 2004 and 2007 on the British Television. With the pandemic of non-infectious diseases like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases etc, the world has become much more conscious of the impact of our diet and lifestyle choices on our health. You need not look too far to find numerous diet regimens being promoted in a bid to encourage a healthy life. We too, as Catholic Christians are what we eat; Christ invites us to eat His flesh in the discourse on the Eucharist and at the last supper, on the night He was betrayed (John 6:51; Matthew 26: 26-28).

The writer to the Hebrews tells us in today’s reading that “God’s will was for us to be made holy by the offering of his body made once and for all by Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 10:10). The blood of goats and bulls which were required under the old covenant for the cleansing of sin were grossly inadequate and lacked the power to truly purify the Israelites. However, the blood of Christ which was shed once and for all as He offered Himself on the cross has the power not only to take away our sins but also to purify our hearts and consciences and unite us with our Heavenly Father. Thus, the Eucharist raises us from our fallen state into union with God.

Dear friend, at every Mass you have the privilege of reliving this ultimate sacrifice. Each Mass is celebrated in obedience to Christ’s instruction: “do this in memory of me”. The Eucharist is a life giving meal; it pours out sanctifying grace – the very life of God into us and strengthens us in our journey of faith, preparing us to meet Him whom we receive face to face at the end of time. Jesus invites you and I to receive Him so we can be like Him. Let us open our hearts and minds to the Lord and approach Him with purity of heart so that the bread of life that we eat may bring us eternal life and not condemnation.

PRAYER: Thank you Jesus for the gift of your body and blood. Please help me to receive you worthily and frequently and to cooperate with the grace of holiness you give me in the Eucharist so that I may truly be Christ-like.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 221 – How does Holy Communion change me?

Every Holy Communion unites me more deeply with Christ, makes me a living member of the Body of Christ, renews the graces that I received in Baptism and Confirmation, and fortifies me for the battle against sin.

HIDE A TREASURE: “As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me” John 6: 57 RSV-CE

Readings for Today: Hebrews 10: 1-10; Psalm 40: 2-4, 7-11; Mark 3: 31-35