Cleanse Me

A Reflection on the Second Reading for June 6th, 2021:
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

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Hebrews
9.11-15

Brothers and sisters: When Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent — not made with hands, that is, not of this creation — he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.

For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant.
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

Jesus came to Earth in human form to cleanse me of my sin. He shed His blood — willingly — in total obedience to God. Total meekness and complete surrender to His Father’s will. Blood shed for me. Blood that cleansed me and every other person from all sinfulness, while we were still sinners. In one humble act of obedience, He saved us all.

For thousands of years people sinned and then sacrificed an animal, shedding its blood in atonement for the sin. That ritual was repeated over and over. Why? Because we sinned over and over. Sin, wash, repeat. Jesus showed us that we don’t have to be stuck in that endless cycle. If we could be cleansed by the blood of an animal, how much more powerful and lasting would it be to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus?

I’ve read that sin is a waste of energy. First, we waste our energy going against God’s will to get something we can’t have, control, or change. Then, we waste more energy justifying our actions or trying to remember our lies to cover up our sinful action. When we are found out, we waste more energy feeling sorrowful, self-pitying, and perhaps apologetic, or trying to repair an injury we have caused.

I have wasted a lot of my life in this state. I have manipulated and tried to control everything and everyone around me. I have justified my actions, saying they were done from a place of love. Sometimes I have even said they were done from a place of love for Jesus! There I stood, sinfully in the way of God’s plan for myself and others and spending a lot of energy justifying my stance and actions.

Eventually it got to be too much, and thankfully I found myself with no other option but to totally surrender myself, my will, and my loved ones to the care of God. What a brutal, joyous day that was! I finally chose to be cleansed by the Blood that was shed for me, and to abide in Him. I stopped running; hiding behind guilt and shame. I chose to cling to the Vine, finally understanding that there is no greater love than that where a man lay down His life for His friends. Jesus, the New Covenant, secured that promise for me on the cross.


Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your humble obedience. Let me never forget that You shed Your precious blood for me, a thankless sinner. Cause me to always abide in You, knowing that You have already taken away every sin and transgression. Save me from the spirits of guilt, shame, control, and mistrust, and instead fill me with the gifts You promised through the eternal Holy Spirit. Let me always remember that Your will is perfect and through Your blood I am healed. Amen




Sandy Graves

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