WILL YOU LEAVE JESUS OR LEAVE SIN?

“They left Him and went off.” —Mark 12:12

When Jesus told a parable, He surely desired His hearers to respond by repenting and coming to Him. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus told a parable which convicted people of their sin (Mk 12:1ff). However, the response of the Jewish leaders to the parable of the tenants was: “They left Him and went off” (Mk 12:12). Jesus’ hearers understood exactly what He was saying to them. Sadly, they chose to reject both Jesus and His message.

The Lord has long been sending you messengers to deliver His Word (see Mk 12:2-6). He keeps talking of your sin, not to condemn and punish you, but in order to save you (see Jn 3:17; Rm 8:1). He speaks as a Good Shepherd Who longs to rescue you from destruction. He sends the Holy Spirit to convict you of sin (Jn 16:8).

The Church begins each Mass the same way, by inviting us to repent of our sin. How will we respond when the Lord convicts us of our sin? Will we leave Him and go away? (Mk 12:12) Or will we leave sin behind and run to Jesus?

Prayer: Father, I lay my pride, will, heart, soul, and mind at the foot of Jesus’ cross. Give me only Your love and Your grace in return.

Promise: “Happy the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commands.” —Ps 112:1

Praise: St. Boniface, a tireless missionary to Germany, was martyred along with fifty-three companions while preparing candidates for Confirmation.