Faith Daily | 25 January 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p 530

O God,

the strength of all those who put their trust in you:

mercifully accept our prayers,

and because through the weakness of our mortal nature

we can do nothing good without you,

grant us the help of your grace,

that in keeping your commandments

we may please you both in will and deed;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Mark 3: 31-35

31Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. 32A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” 33And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: Kathy Allen

I have always wondered about this unforgiveable sin. Honestly, I’m glad I didn’t read this verse when I was a child, because I can guarantee it would have kept me up at night. How does this even work? Didn’t Jesus teach us that ANYONE could be forgiven ANYTHING? And these scribes… they haven’t even done anything, really. How can words be unforgivable?

I think we need to look at the context in which these words are said. It’s not the words that are the problem, but the upending and swapping the meaning of good and evil. This is the blasphemy, the great sin – subverting what is evil and pretending it is good. Forgiveness is always found for those who ask, but if you are so convinced you are right that hurting others seems like a small price to pay, why would you even ask?

It’s why I always leave room for doubt. For love. For light. If there is room for Jesus unfathomable acceptance, let’s let him in. I would rather be accused of erring in love than in exclusion.

As long as there is love, there is no fear. Not of the darkness, and not of blasphemy. I pray we will never have reason to fear.

FINAL PRAYER: APBA p. 532

Life-giving God,

who sent your Son Jesus to proclaim your kingdom

and to teach with authority:

anoint us with your Spirit,

that we too may bring good news to the poor,

bind up the broken-hearted,

and proclaim liberty to the captive;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen.