It is 21 January 2017. We celebrate the memorial of St Agnes, Virgin and Martyr. The readings are from Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14; and the Gospel from Mark 3:20-21. The first reading clears our understanding on personal sanctification to the core. It is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ restores our inner holiness day by day. We no longer separated by a Holy of Holies and a veil of sins just because Jesus has borne our sins. The earlier belief of restoration could come from just by the sprinkling of animal blood, but now how deep and profound the impact of the shedding of the blood of Christ for our sins. The inner restoration and holiness is only possible through the blood of Jesus who died for us all. “How much more effectively the Blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.” (Heb.9:14). Jesus is the only access to the Father and the sacred entrance to God. Jesus is present in everyone who believes and accepts Him as the Saviour and Lord. God’s presence is in the deep within each one’s conscience. Christ changed our status and raised our fallen humanity through the forgiveness of sins. The responsorial Psalm praises, God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.” (Ps.47:6). The Gospel passage even though it is brief but presents how His own family members had the difficulty in accepting what Jesus was doing. It can very well happen to us too when we take the spiritual life seriously. Our own believers and friends could give name tags. When we are ridiculed, mocked and misunderstood, we need not to change our faithfulness to God and God’s only Son Jesus Christ. Peace and healing cannot be achieved without a personal sacrifice of accepting the humbling moments of this intensity. Let us not hate anyone in our lives just because they do not accept our view points and message. Let us be busy serving God’s people no matter who calls us by names. We do not need to make efforts to impress anyone on earth by doing good. We are created by God to do good and to spread the message of love demonstrated on the Cross. May you have a good day.