Links for today’s readings:
Read: Leviticus 4 Listen: (5:17) Read: Acts 1 Listen: (3:58)
Scripture Focus: Leviticus 4.1-3; 13-15
1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Say to the Israelites: ‘When anyone sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands— 3 “ ‘If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the Lord a young bull without defect as a sin offering for the sin he has committed.
13 “ ‘If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands, even though the community is unaware of the matter, when they realize their guilt 14 and the sin they committed becomes known, the assembly must bring a young bull as a sin offering and present it before the tent of meeting. 15 The elders of the community are to lay their hands on the bull’s head before the Lord, and the bull shall be slaughtered before the Lord.
Reflection: Wandering Sin
By John Tillman
“Unintentional” in this text comes from a root word meaning “wandering off,” similar to a sheep or other animal. The described sacrifices are not intended for willful, intentional acts of rebellion. “Wandering” or “unintentional” sins must be dealt with once one becomes aware of them, otherwise, they become “rebellious” sins.
The offerings for sin teach us that sins done by individuals affect all people and sins done by the community affect all individuals. The priest’s sin brings “guilt on all the people.” The community’s sin requires all individuals, represented by “the elders of the community,” to confess responsibility by placing their hands on the sacrifice. Adam’s individual sin affects us collectively. Our forefathers’ individual and communal sins affect us today. Our individual and collective sins affect our neighbors and will affect our children’s children.
Sin is not solely an individual matter, not solely a communal matter, not solely about earthly justice or penalties, and not solely about spiritual victories or theology.
Some sins more drastically affect our lives and others’ lives. These distinctions matter for earthly justice. It matters whether you call someone a fool or whether you murder them. (Matthew 5.21-22) It matters whether you look at someone lustfully or if you sexually violate them. (Matthew 5.27-29)
However, even “smaller” sins of contempt or verbal abuse or lustful eyes are bigger than we think. Your heart and the hearts of any who witness or experience these actions will be hardened and changed for the worse with every instance. The compounding interest of our individual investments in contempt has netted a world with the f-bomb frequently found on political tee-shirts, signs, and stickers. The algorithmically driven feeds of entertainment have learned from our wandering eyes and clicking fingers to normalize porn-adjacent content.
We don’t get to say, “I didn’t intend this” or “I didn’t do that.” (Matthew 23.29-35) We are connected to these sins and must confess them.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal unintentional “wandering” sins to you. Confess the collective sins of people you lead or of people who lead you and bring guilt on all their followers. Confess the unintentional sinful effects of things you have said, done, purchased, acquired, voted for, or condoned.
We have a better sacrifice than a bull and a better priest than Aaron. Lay your hands on him in faith and repentance and rejoice in his forgiveness. Do not allow wandering sins to become rebellious ones.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; wash me, and I shall be clean indeed. — Psalm 51.8
– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more: Jesus, Our Grain Offering
Jesus is the bread, the grain, of life. He has offered himself for us and to us.
Read more: Jesus, Our Burnt Offering
The head of a family brought a burnt offering…God offered Jesus as a lamb on our behalf, to bring us into his family.