February 22, 2026
Many little symbols are used in math to tell you what to do with numbers. For example, we could use words to say, “Two plus two equals four.” But that’s often expressed using symbols. Here we have 2 + 2 = 4. What does the little cross mean? It’s a plus sign, which tells you to add those two numbers together. What do the two lines on top of each other mean? It’s an equal sign. It expresses that 2 + 2 equals 4.
Look at this one: 4 > 2. Here’s a symbol you may not yet know. The arrow pointed sideways in that direction means “greater than.” It means the thing before it is greater than the thing after it. For this one, you’d say, “Four is greater than two,” because four is a larger number, a greater amount, than two.
Now look at this: Jesus Christ > Adam. In our Second Reading today, the Apostle Paul tells us how Adam’s sin brought many bad things into our world that affect our lives. In the Garden of Eden, God commanded Adam not to eat the fruit of only one tree. But Adam did not fully trust God, so he disobeyed and ate the fruit from that tree. We all do things we’re told not to do at times, don’t we? Yes, and we also don’t always do the good things God calls us to do. Paul calls all of these “sin,” and sin leads to death.
But the good news Paul tells us again and again is that Jesus is “greater than.” Look again: Jesus Christ > Adam. Jesus resisted all temptations, as you heard in the Gospel. He also suffered, died, and rose again so that everything bad is defeated for us and we’re saved from all of them. We are now given grace and life as free gifts from God. How can we be sure of this? Because Jesus Christ . . . is greater than . . . Adam. In fact, He’s greater than all. He is our Saviour, the King above all kings, the Lord of all lords. So His death on the cross solves all sin, Adam’s and yours.
Thank You, Jesus, for being my Saviour. Help me remember that Your forgiveness is far greater than my sin! Amen.