Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Hebrews 9:15, 24-28: Christ mediates a new covenant, offering His death for liberation from past transgressions, promising eternal inheritance. Unlike earthly priests, He entered heaven once for all, securing salvation for the awaiting.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 98: Sing a new song for the Lord’s extraordinary deeds and victorious deliverance. His justice and mercy are known worldwide, inviting all lands to joyfully praise Him with music.
• Gospel – Mark 3:22-30: Faced with accusations from Jerusalem’s scribes of demonic influence, Jesus used parables to challenge their logic. He argued against the possibility of Satan working against himself, as internal division leads to downfall, whether in kingdoms or households. He likened His exorcisms to overpowering a strong man to plunder his house. Jesus then solemnly clarified that all sins, except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, are forgivable, addressing their grievous claim of His possession by an unclean spirit.

If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him.

Mark 3:26

On Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings encourage us to reflect on Christ’s role as our eternal mediator and the power of forgiveness. They remind us of Jesus’ sacrifice and how He overcame sin to bring us closer to God.

• Christ as Mediator: Jesus is the bridge between humanity and God. Through His sacrifice, He made a path for us to come closer to God and receive forgiveness.
• Power of Jesus’ Sacrifice: Jesus offered Himself once for all, taking away the burden of sin. This sacrifice shows God’s commitment to our salvation and calls us to accept His mercy.
• Forgiveness of Sins: Jesus removes our sins, giving us new life. This forgiveness shows that God is willing to renew us if we repent and seek His love.
• Eternal Salvation: Christ’s offering opens the way to eternal life. Through Jesus, we are invited to a lasting relationship with God that goes beyond death.
• Rejecting Evil: The Gospel warns against attributing God’s works to evil. Recognizing and respecting the good works of Christ is essential to following Him.
• The Unforgivable Sin: Jesus teaches about the seriousness of rejecting the Holy Spirit. This reminds us to stay open to God’s grace and not close our hearts to His work.
• Jesus Conquering Evil: Jesus confronts and overcomes sin and evil. His power over evil assures us that we can trust Him fully.

These themes for Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 call us to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and the path He offers us toward forgiveness and eternal life. In receiving His mercy, we are called to stay open to God’s grace and to resist evil with trust in Christ.

On Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings draw us deeper into understanding Jesus’ role in our lives. We reflect on how He removes our sins, challenges us to recognize His work, and acts as the bridge connecting us to God. Each reading invites us to accept His gift of forgiveness, open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, and trust in the path Jesus has made for us.

Jesus Removes Our Sins, Giving Us New Life

On Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, we hear about Jesus’ sacrifice and how He removes our sins. In the reading from Hebrews, Jesus offers Himself as a sacrifice to wash away the sins of all people, once and for all. This sacrifice doesn’t just cover our sins; it removes them, giving us a fresh start. Jesus’ death on the cross was for everyone, opening the way to God and making new life possible.

This new life means leaving our sins behind. Jesus gives us a chance to be renewed, to step out of guilt and into God’s mercy. The reading helps us see that we are not meant to live under the weight of past mistakes. Instead, Jesus offers us freedom from sin and a way to grow closer to God. This gift of forgiveness is available if we are willing to accept it.

When we receive forgiveness, we are also called to forgive others and leave sin behind. This is the beginning of the new life that Jesus promises. Accepting forgiveness helps us live in peace and look forward with hope. Jesus calls each of us to let go of sin and live a life of love and trust in God’s mercy.

Recognizing God’s Work and Rejecting Evil

In the Gospel reading for Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, Jesus faces those who doubt His works and even accuse Him of being on the side of evil. They question the good He does and wrongly connect His miracles to evil powers. Jesus warns them about the danger of such thinking. Calling God’s work evil blocks us from seeing His goodness and risks closing our hearts to God’s help.

Recognizing God’s work in our lives is essential to following Jesus. When we open our eyes to see the good things He does, we grow in faith and understanding. This reading challenges us to be careful in how we judge or misunderstand what we see around us. It reminds us that God is constantly working, often in ways we may not expect, and we need to be open to His actions.

Jesus’ warning in the Gospel is a call to stay alert and not to close ourselves off from God’s grace. If we turn away from God or call His works something bad, we limit our ability to experience His love. Keeping our hearts open to the Holy Spirit helps us stay connected to God’s guidance. Jesus encourages us to stay close to Him, to look for His work in our lives, and to be grateful for all He does.

Christ, Our Bridge to God

Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, shows us that Jesus is our bridge to God. The reading from Hebrews explains how Jesus became the mediator, making a way for us to connect with God. By His own sacrifice, Jesus offers us a path to forgiveness, freeing us from sin and inviting us into a closer relationship with God. Jesus’ role as our bridge is central to our faith and to our hope in eternal life.

As our mediator, Jesus opens the way to God’s love and mercy. In a world where sin creates barriers, Jesus breaks down these walls through His sacrifice. He took our sins upon Himself, offering us forgiveness and a chance to start fresh. Without Jesus’ role as our bridge, we would be separated from God’s love and unable to find our way back on our own.

Jesus also teaches us how to live as people connected to God. By following His example of love, forgiveness, and faith, we walk along the path He created. This path is not always easy, but knowing that Jesus is our bridge to God gives us strength and peace. Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, calls us to trust in Jesus, to walk with Him, and to know that through Him, we are never far from God’s love.

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Through these reflections, we see that Jesus not only offers us forgiveness but also a way to live in close relationship with God. Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, calls us to grow in trust, openness, and gratitude for the new life Jesus makes possible.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for offering us forgiveness and bringing us closer to God. Help us to see Your work clearly and follow Your path each day. Give us the courage to leave behind sin and accept the new life You offer. Guide us in Your mercy and love. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How does Jesus’ forgiveness impact your daily life?
• Are there ways you have resisted seeing God’s work in your life?
• How can you stay open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit?
• What does it mean for you that Jesus is the bridge connecting you to God?

Overcoming Accusation with Divine Mercy

In Bishop Barron’s reflection for Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, he highlights how the scribes’ accusations against Jesus in Mark’s Gospel reveal the devil’s roles as “the accuser” and “the scatterer.” Jesus, known for exorcising demons, counters this divisive accusation by embodying the kingdom of God’s principles: love, nonviolence, and forgiveness. Even as He becomes a scapegoat, Jesus absorbs the negativity, transforming it into divine mercy.

What date is Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Monday January 27, 2025.

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For even numbered years see Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Monday January 27, 2025 are:
First Reading  – Hebrews 9:15, 24-28: Christ’s Mediatorial Sacrifice
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 98: Celebration of God’s Salvation
Gospel – Mark 3:22-30: Jesus Refutes Accusations

What does it mean that Jesus is our mediator in the first reading for Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Jesus as mediator means He is the go-between for us and God. Through His sacrifice, He made it possible for us to be closer to God and receive forgiveness.

Why is Jesus’ sacrifice important in the first reading?

Jesus’ sacrifice is important because He offered Himself once to take away sins. This shows that His death was for our sake, and it invites us to turn to Him for forgiveness.

How does this reading for Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourage us to respond to Jesus’ sacrifice?

This reading encourages us to accept Jesus’ forgiveness and follow Him. His sacrifice calls us to let go of sin and live in a way that honors God.

How can we apply the message of forgiveness to our daily lives?

We can apply this message by forgiving others and seeking God’s forgiveness when we fail. Accepting forgiveness from God helps us live with peace and show mercy to others.

How does Jesus’ role as a savior help us today?

Jesus as savior means He continually brings us closer to God. This gives us hope in difficult times, knowing that He has already overcome sin and death.

What does this reading teach about eternal life?

The first reading for Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 shows that Jesus’ sacrifice opens the door to eternal life. Through Him, we are invited to a lasting relationship with God that goes beyond this life.

What is the unforgivable sin mentioned in the Gospel for Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The unforgivable sin is rejecting the Holy Spirit’s work. This teaches us to be careful not to ignore or speak against God’s actions in our lives.

Why is it important to recognize Jesus’ power over evil?

Recognizing Jesus’ power over evil helps us trust Him fully. Knowing He has control gives us strength to resist temptation and evil.

Why does the reading warn us about rejecting the Holy Spirit?

Rejecting the Holy Spirit is serious because it cuts us off from God’s help. We need to stay open to God’s work in our lives, allowing Him to guide and change us.

How can we stay open to the Holy Spirit in our lives?

We can stay open to the Holy Spirit by praying, listening to God’s word, and trusting in His guidance. This keeps our hearts ready for the ways God wants to work in us.