Second Thursday of Ordinary Time

Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them. It was fitting that we should have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens. He has no need, as did the high priests, to offer sacrifice day after day, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did that once for all when he offered himself.

Jesus offered himself on the cross for all of us. He made the ultimate sacrifice to make up for all of mankind’s sins. This is because no matter how much we sacrifice in this life, it would never be enough to make up for our sins because the weight of our sins are measured by who we sin against. If we spit on a random person on the street, we suffer a lesser penalty than if we spit on a policeman or the President of the United States. The title and station of the person we sin against magnifies the debt we must pay. So when we sin against God, our debt is infinite and cannot be repaid by any of our deeds. However, when Jesus took our sins upon himself, he made an infinite sacrifice for us because he, too is infinite. As such, it is only through Jesus’ intercession that we are able to be made clean of our imperfections and given the power to think, speak, and do good.

How do we express our thanks for Jesus’ sacrifice? Do we turn to him whenever we are in need of forgiveness?  How can we lead holy and innocent lives?

O Lord, intercede for us.

Amen.