Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ; the Holy Priest-Martyr Ignatius the Godbearer (110)
Hebrews 11:17-23, 27-31; Mark 9:42-10:1
Nativity Fast.
Read Mark 9:42-10:1
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus points out the dangerous consequences of sin. Regardless of how you sin or how you cause someone else to sin, it is wrong.
As we know very well, sins can easily be committed through thoughts, words and actions. Yet, when we read the prayers of the anointing with the oil of gladness during the Sacrament of Baptism, we realise that everything about our being is given to us for glorifying God; so that the newly baptised may love God above all and his/her neighbour as himself/herself.
The forehead is anointed so that the mind may be opened to understand and accept the mysteries of the faith of Christ; the breast is anointed so that the newly baptised may love the Lord and his/her neighbour; the shoulder to accept the easy yoke of Christ; the ears to listen to the teachings of the faith; the hands to do the right thing at all times and the feet to walk in the way of the commandments of Christ.
Therefore, let us put to good and proper use our whole being, especially during the remainder of this fast, so that we may truly rejoice that God is with us.