Sunday Reflection (December 19, 2021)

By being perfectly obedient Jesus sanctifies not only himself
but also us (Hebrews 10:5-10). God’s grace embraces us.
No more sacrifice is needed yet think of the scapegoating
sacrifices we continue to make to cover our own sins and failures.
The scapegoating sacrifices we make so we do not have to extend grace
to the one scapegoated or to those scapegoated.

We may have trouble accepting God’s forgiveness of our sins,

or we may take it for granted. We may become so bogged down
with our own faults and failures that we have a tough time offering
our best gifts to God’s glory. Nevertheless, we joyfully celebrate
God’s grace and find ways to share God’s grace and love
 with others. Why was Christ Born? To make up for our unfaithfulness!
To show us God’s will! To encourage us to do God’s will!
To teach us to stop scapegoating others and to lead us to be merciful
as God has been with us.