General. It has always happened that man has tarried between a time of grace and a time of refusal of the blessing which God wanted to give him. When Jesus came on earth, he condescended even unto death on the cross, which was a great scandal in itself but worth doing in order to save us from the slavery of sin. In Baptism we also belittle ourselves and cease being the haughty men of the world we really are so as to put on the living Christ and his holiness.

Ezechiel. When God sends His prophets to His people, He would be doing it because He loves His people. The same thing happens with us, hard headed as we might be and having a rebellious nature which finds ample expression in going against His will. This notwithstanding, God sends us His prophets and apostles who are full of His spirit to keep us on the right track.

Second Letter to the Corinthians. St Paul is here revealing the secret of what it really means being a good Christian. It means divesting oneself of one’s ego (pride) and putting on Christ (utmost holiness). It is a process which takes from weakness of the self to strength with the Risen Christ. In terms of what St John the Baptist said, it is necessary that I decrease so that Christ might increase. A Christian’s life programme, indeed.

St Mark. Like the inhabitants of the village from where Jesus hailed, we are quite often preoccupied with the day to day affirst of our material lives. Little do we believe in the power which the Risen Christ has over us. With our lack of faith we would never be prepared to accept Christ, who achieved victory over death, as living for ever in glory and that he has all power to conquer sin within us.

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