Fifth Sunday of the Great Fast: Our Venerable Mother, Mary of Egypt, Tone 8; Our Holy Father Cyril, Archbishop of Jerusalem (386)
Great Fast Day 35. The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated today.
Read
Hebrews 9:11-14; Galatians 3:23-29
Mark 10:32-45; Luke 7:36-50
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
In today’s Gospel reading we hear Jesus mention the word ransom. This one of only three times the word is mentioned in the New Testament (Mark 10:45, Mt 20:28, 1 Tim 2:6). : The Greek form of ransom is ‘lytron’ which also carries the equal connotation of ‘redemption’ (lytrosin). When we hear or use the word redeem we might think of coupons or gift certificates that we redeem to get a discounted price on goods and services. But when the words ‘ransom,’ ‘redeem’ or ‘redemption’ are used in the Scriptures, it is not usually about commercial exchange. In the Greek, both lytron and lytrosin have the same root ‘ly’ which means to loose or untie, to set free.
Just like God sent Moses to the Israelites in Egypt to deliver them from the captivity of slavery under Pharoah, God sends Jesus Christ into the world to deliver the whole race of humanity from the captivity of slavery to sin under the devil. Satan is the perpetrator who has taken us hostage through the deception of sin. The ransom Lucifer demanded is our loyalty and allegiance. We could not and we cannot set ourselves free. It’s like being in a jail cell without the key to the lock. Jesus came down from heaven to earth as a man, a human being to show us how to live. But He went even farther. He descended from earth to Hades through the Cross to show us how to die. Jesus is like the hero in the movies who offers himself as a ransom so that hostages may be set free.
The mystery is that Jesus’ disciples thought He was going to establish an earthly kingdom and rule as king with great power to force His enemies to bow down before Him. Instead, Jesus allows Himself to be taken captive, to be tried and executed as a common criminal. What a scandal? No wonder the disciples tried to prevent it just like in the movies, family members and friends try to prevent the hero or heroine from offering themselves as a ransom, to take the place of and become the hostage.
Let us remember that even though Jesus became a ransom for all people of all times, He must become our personal ransom. In other words, the redemption He provides cannot be imposed on any person against his or her will. Neither can it be given to people who are indifferent or lukewarm to this great gift of deliverance. It must be received and accepted willingly, earnestly. And this willingness is not a mere ascent to the idea in one’s mind but a real sacrifice of mind, body and soul. Remember, the ransom the devil wants is your allegiance and loyalty. There is no middle road. It’s either yes or no. If you don’t love God will all your heart, with all you mind, with all your strength and with all your soul, and your neighbor as yourself, your allegiance is not with God. Your loyalty is with someone else—an idol of your own making.
Ask yourself, if Christ gave Himself to ransom me from death, do not I owe Him my entire life—not just part of it?