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Master·evangeli.net

Today's Gospel + short theological explanation

Saturday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
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Gospel text (Lk 9:43b-45): While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” ...

The "New Covenant" sealed with the Blood of Christ

EDITORIAL TEAM evangeli.net (based on texts by Benedict XVI) (Città del Vaticano, Vatican)

Today, in a spectacular messianic anticipation, Jesus announces the sufferings He will offer "for" us. This faithfulness of His means that He acts not only as "God toward men", but also as "man toward God", in this way establishing the Covenant irrevocably.

This planting of the Covenant in men’s hearts, in such a way that it can no longer be destroyed, takes place through the vicarious suffering of the Son who has become servant. Ever since, standing against the whole flood of filth and evil is the obedience of the Son, in whom God Himself suffered. The blood of animals could neither "atone" for sin nor bring God and men together. It could only be a sign of hope. But in Jesus’ words over the chalice, all this is summed up and fulfilled.

—O Jesus, You give us the "New Covenant" sealed with Your Blood, with the total gift of Yourself. This is the "new worship" in which mankind is drawn to Your same obedience!