“For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, ‘Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married.'” — Galatians 4:22-27, Revised Standard Version

From the Lectionary reading today, St. Paul is using the story of Abraham’s two sons—one from a slave woman, Hagar, and one from a free woman, Sarah—to explain a deeper spiritual truth. He tells us that these two women represent two different covenants, or ways of relating to God. Hagar, the slave woman, stands for the covenant made at Mount Sinai, which is based on the Law. Sarah, the free woman, represents the covenant of God’s promise, which is based on faith and grace.
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The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it has been written by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, I send my angel before your face, who shall prepare your way before you. The voice of one crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths.” John was in the desert, baptizing and preaching a baptism of repentance, as a remission of sins. And there went out to him all the region of Judea and all those of Jerusalem, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist. And he ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying: “One stronger than me comes after me. I am not worthy to reach down and loosen the laces of his shoes. I have baptized you with water. Yet truly, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 16:1-8)

The Gospel reading today introduces us to the beginning of Christ’s ministry and the role of John the Baptist, whose mission was to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. In the divine plan, God often uses forerunners to announce His arrival. John’s role as the “voice crying out in the wilderness” shows us the need for repentance and preparation before encountering the Lord. This moment shows the importance of repentance as the foundation of our spiritual lives. John’s baptism of repentance was not an end in itself but a preparation for the greater baptism to come—the baptism of the Holy Spirit. True repentance is essential for receiving the grace of God. Without turning away from sin and humbling ourselves, we are not in a state to receive Christ fully.
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