WILL YOU LEAVE JESUS OR SIN?

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

Jesus told a parable which convicted people of their sin (Mk 12:1ff). When Jesus told a parable, He surely desired His hearers would respond by repenting and coming to Him. However, the response 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. They simply rejected both Jesus and His message.

How do you respond when Jesus convicts you of your sin? The Lord has long been sending you messengers to speak His Word to you (see Mk 12:2-4). 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).

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 come running to Jesus?

Prayer: Father, I lay my pride, my 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. Justin was the first Christian philosopher. He defended the faith and died as a martyr for Jesus.