“Letting go of the ‘peripheral and sinful branches of life;’ instead, pursuing the paths of holiness and sanctity!”

(Based on Sir 5:1-8 and Mk 9:41-50 – Thursday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A man was climbing a steep mountain when suddenly – he slipped!

He tumbled down, rocks crumbling beneath him.

At the last moment, his hand grasped a thick branch.
His heart pounded!

Below him, a sheer drop.
Above, safety – just out of reach.

He held on tightly.

But as minutes passed, his grip weakened. His fingers ached.
His strength faded.

Then, he saw it – a thick, sturdy vine swaying nearby.
That was his way out.
That was his chance to survive.

But to grab it, he had to make a terrifying choice – he had to let go of the thick branch!

Doubt filled his mind.

What if I fall?
What if I miss?
Fear whispered, “Hold on to what you have. Don’t take the risk.”

But the truth was clear: if he kept clinging to the branch, he wouldn’t last much longer.

With a deep breath…
… he made his choice.

He let go.
His fingers released the branch.

For a moment, he felt himself falling.

Then – he caught the vine!
He pulled himself up, climbed higher…
… and found solid ground again!

Are we not also often the same?
… hanging onto things that are pulling us down…
… Bad habits.
… Sinful comforts.
.. Attachments we refuse to release.

The climber had to let go to live.

Because in the end, ‘the breaking branch’ what we refuse to release…
… may be the very thing that makes us fall.

Yes, we need to remember: “What we refuse to cut off today…
… might be the very thing that cuts us off from God tomorrow!”

How true is the saying: “The finest attractions of this world become deadly when one becomes overly attached to them.”

The Gospel of the Day is the powerful exhortation of Jesus on the need to “cut-off and pluck-off” ANYTHING which causes us to sin…
… thus according the prime duty of every follower of Christ to meticulously and diligently pursue the paths of holiness!

Jesus uses an extreme language to convey this message across:

“If your hand causes you to sin… cut it off!
“If your foot causes you to sin… cut it off!”
“If your eye causes you to sin… pluck it off!” (Mk 9:43,45,47)

The hand… the foot… and the eye… are three faculties which are extremely vital for a person’s activities:

The hand: points to the things “that we do”
The foot: points to the places “that we go”
The eye: points to the things “that we see or desire”

Jesus, thus refers to ANYTHING, which causes sin, to be totally be dismembered.

We need to make an honest examination of our lives…

What are the areas of my life, which cause me to sin…
… and keeps me away, from pursuing holiness?

Who are the people in my life, who lead me to sin…
… or keep me away from becoming closer to the Lord?

Which are the activities, which instigates me to sin…
… and renders me a slave to the wiles of the devil?

As human beings, there could be a naturally tendency….
… to easily get attached to things which attract and allure us
… to find it hard to let go of situations which gives us momentary pleasure and vain gratification
… to be impelled to remain holding onto certain people, even though we know they cause us to sin

But the Lord calls for an honest examination of our life…
… and dares us to “let go” of anything that would cause us to be unworthy of His Love.

A false grip on the world will make us fall…
… but a firm grip on Christ will lift us up!

Let us not “keep holding on” to the peripheral “branches” of life…
… instead pursue the paths of holiness and sanctity!

The Book of Sirach powerfully warns us: “Do not rely on your wealth, or say, ‘I have enough.’ Do not follow your own desires or strength in pursuing the passions of your heart.” (Sir 5:1-2)

Holding on to sin may feel secure…
… but it leads to ruin.

The time to let go is…
… today – not tomorrow!
… now – not later!
Because the longer we hold on…
… the harder it is to be free!

“Do not delay turning back to the Lord, do not put it off day after day” (Sir 5:7).

Let our lives be a saintly one – attracting many towards Christ…
… and not a scandalous one – repelling many away from Christ!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Second Commandment

The sacrament of Baptism is conferred “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

In Baptism, the Lord’s name sanctifies man, and the Christian receives his name in the Church. (CCC # 2156)