Reflection: Today’s letter to the Hebrews
reminds us that a death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions
under the first covenant. This speaks to
the old covenant made by God and His people (the Mosaic Covenant), which was a
traditional Old Testament blood covenant.
In this type of covenant animals were killed, cut in half, and the parties
of the covenant walked through the halves of the animals to symbolize what was due
if someone broke the covenant. Needless
to say, we have failed to live up to the covenant with God, which means that we
are to die for our transgressions.
However, God, in His great mercy, sent His son to take our place. Jesus’ death is the death referred to in today’s
reading, and His death abolished the old covenant and freed us from the
punishment that was due. Since His death
abolished the old covenant, is allowed for the new covenant to be
established. This new covenant is so
much greater than the old because it promises us mercy instead of only justice,
and allows us to receive the promised inheritance of heaven despite our
failures.
Big
Picture: Jesus took
our place
Discussion
Starters:
Younger saints: What is a covenant? (A promise made between God and His people. God promises to look after His people, and they promise to listen to and obey God.) Do you know why Jesus died on the cross? (Our sins made it so that we could not go to heaven. He suffered for our sins to make it so we can go to heaven.) Why did Jesus do this for us? (Because He loves us and wants us to go to heaven to be with Him forever.)
Older saints: What does it mean to you that Jesus took your place and died instead of you? How will you repay Him?
Younger saints: What is a covenant? (A promise made between God and His people. God promises to look after His people, and they promise to listen to and obey God.) Do you know why Jesus died on the cross? (Our sins made it so that we could not go to heaven. He suffered for our sins to make it so we can go to heaven.) Why did Jesus do this for us? (Because He loves us and wants us to go to heaven to be with Him forever.)
Older saints: What does it mean to you that Jesus took your place and died instead of you? How will you repay Him?
Fun
Fact: The Mosaic
Covenant was established in the book of Exodus (Chapters 19-24).
Saint
of the day:
Name: St. Thomas Aquinas
What they are remembered for: When St. Thomas was only five years old his father placed him under the care of the Benedictines of Monte Casino. His teachers were surprised at how he surpassed other students in academics and in virtue. St. Thomas was a great author, priest, and theologian. He was offered numerous high position in his time but always sought to humbly serve our Lord through his every day work.
Feast day: January 28
Patron saint of: Universities and students
Name: St. Thomas Aquinas
What they are remembered for: When St. Thomas was only five years old his father placed him under the care of the Benedictines of Monte Casino. His teachers were surprised at how he surpassed other students in academics and in virtue. St. Thomas was a great author, priest, and theologian. He was offered numerous high position in his time but always sought to humbly serve our Lord through his every day work.
Feast day: January 28
Patron saint of: Universities and students
Daily
Notes:
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