Today’s readings are about forgiveness [Micah 7: 14-15 18-20, Psalm 103, Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32], with the gospel being the parable of the Prodigal Son. During morning time with Jason and Jesus (MTWJJ), the readings led me to share something with Jason about my childhood that has come up a couple of times this week so I know God is calling me to act on it. I am still discerning in what way so I will save that for another time. However, Jason commented that the vertical of the cross is God and the horizontal is us (mankind)–he has said this before but today, it set off a flurry of sparks as I realized that we meet at the cross where Jesus was crucified.
Jesus–the Paschal lamb of the Old Testament and Old Covenant, was sacrificed on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and iniquities. In the old ways, animals were sacrificed repeatedly as a sin offering so that mankind could have external cleansing; the high priest alone would enter the inner tabernacle once a year on Yom Kippur to make a blood offering for his sins as well [Hebrews 9: 6-7]. However, mankind needed the Perfect Lamb–Jesus Christ, both human and divine, to offer the final perfect sacrifice–once and for all– so that mankind could have a complete cleansing of the interior–the heart [Hebrews 9:12] and be reconciled with God in The New Covenant [Hebrews 9:15]. We may enter the Holy of Holies because the veil was torn and we were made clean [Hebrews 10:10, 14]. Practicing Catholics participate in this sacrifice in the Mass.
God and mankind meet on the cross through Jesus.
In mathematics (coordinate geometry to be specific), the point on a graph where the x axis (God) and y axis (mankind) meet is called the ‘origin.’
The word ‘origin’ is from the Latin oriri— to rise.
To move away from the earthly (belongings, money, plans, perceived obligations) and worshipping of the false gods of celebrities and our own selfish desires, we must die to ourselves, which is our sacrifice in return.
God meets us where we are but the good fruits (of the Holy Spirit and our good works) come when we meet God on the cross through Jesus. If we align our minds and hearts with God through Jesus, we will rise with Jesus.
Amen.
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I have been married to Jason for 28 years and we have been blessed with 2 daughters--Stephanie and Emily. A cradle Catholic, I identify with Martha, who was so busy being busy that she missed out on an opportunity to hang out with Jesus.