It is 20th January 2015. The Readings are from Heb. 6:10-20 and the Gospel from Mk. 2:23-28. We have the memoria of Sts. Fabian and Sebastian, the Martyrs. St. Fabian was the pope for 14 years and was killed during the persecution of the King Decius for unwavering loyalty to Jesus. St. Sebastian was killed for his firm faith in Jesus. He was given to archers to kill him by shooting arrows on him. He is the intercessor for the Archers, Athletes and Soldiers. The first reading cements our hope in the living God by quoting the promises of God and his oath to Abraham. God does not forget his promises. God promised that the descendants of Abraham will be blessed. Abraham had to wait for 25 years to experience the oath God come to light in his life. He did not waver in his faith in God. He hoped in God and enjoyed the blessings. Jesus is our hope who pioneered the solemn entrance into the holy of holies and making it possible for us to enter into the sanctuary of God. Anchor is the symbol of hope. Jesus is our anchor in this tossing and disturbing moments of lives. In the Responsorial Psalm we read, “The Lord will remember his covenant for ever. (Ps 111:5). Gospel insists that Jesus is lord of the sabbath. All work was forbidden in sabbath by law. When the Pharisees observed that the disciples of Jesus did not follow the rules of Sabbath, they accused Jesus and expected him to correct them. Jesus clarifies with them the importance of religion by quoting from Samuel (1 Sam.21:1-6). Then He said, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” (Mk.2:27) Our faith must not stop with the Altar of God, it must meet the needs at the table of human being. May the Lord bless you. Have a good day