Location: Mission San Francisco de la Espada
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, each reading today gives us a unique perspective on our relationship with God and others, inviting us to take responsibility for our actions as we seek deeper communion with Christ.
Original sin consisted in trying to be like God by distrusting God and turning away from His will. In the reading from Genesis, we see the immediate consequences of original sin. After Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit, they experience shame and fear. When they come before God, Adam blames Eve and Eve blames the serpent. They seemed very brave in wanting to be like God and defying his will, but not so much in having to account for their actions. This passage highlights the human tendency to avoid responsibility for our actions, to shift the blame onto others. Sin fractures relationships, not only with God but also with one another. It is essential to take responsibility for our sins, instead of hiding or blaming others.
There is a radical difference between the feelings experienced by avoiding or accepting responsibility, while awaiting God’s judgment. The psalmist’s trust in God’s word, waiting for the Lord “more than sentinels wait for the dawn,” speaks to the hopeful anticipation of divine grace and redemption. The Psalm reminds us of God’s infinite mercy: “With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.” God’s forgiveness is always available to us if we approach Him with a contrite heart.
Saint Paul, in the Second Reading, speaks of inner renewal and the transforming power of faith. He marks a contrast between our outer physical decay and the renewal of our inner self through faith. Saint Paul’s words encourage us to focus on the eternal and unseen, instead of fixating on the visible and transient. Our afflictions, though momentary, prepare us for eternal glory.
This perspective gives meaning to our struggles and failures, through the hope and renewal found in Christ.
The Gospel of Mark presents us with a series of confrontations that Jesus faces: from His family, who think He is out of His mind, and from the scribes who accuse Him of being possessed by Beelzebul. In response, Jesus highlights the absurdity of Satan driving out Satan, and He speaks of the unforgivable sin of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit, which implies a complete and obstinate rejection of God’s mercy and grace. Moreover, Jesus redefines family in a spiritual sense, expanding our understanding to include all who follow God’s will. Jesus is revealing the extent of God’s mercy. By forgiving us, Christ not only restores our former condition as creatures, but He also invites us into a deeper spiritual kinship with Him, based on obedience to God.
As I bless our new tabernacle, we are reminded of the profound significance of the Eucharist in our journey of faith.
The Eucharist is the sacrament of unity and forgiveness, where we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, who offered Himself for our redemption. In the Eucharist, we find the strength to take responsibility for our sins and the grace to seek reconciliation with God and one another. This sacrament embodies the ultimate expression of God’s mercy and our deepest communion with Christ. It calls us to embody Christ’s love and mercy in our daily lives, fostering spiritual renewal and unity within the Church.
Let us accept this challenge from Pope Francis: “Do not be afraid of His will, but place all your trust in His grace.” Let us take responsibility for our actions. Let us trust in God’s abundant mercy. Let us open ourselves to inner renewal through faith. Let us embrace our spiritual family in Christ by doing the will of God.
Let us ask Our Lady of Guadalupe to teach us to do the will of God.
