The Holy Martyr Sebastian and His Companions
Hebrews 7:18-25; Luke 21:37-22:8
Nativity Fast. Abstinence from meat and foods that contain meat.
Read Hebrews 7:18-25
The permanency of Christ’s priesthood makes possible our salvation. We are told that the Old Testament priests, who offered sacrifice on behalf of the people before God, finished this work at the point of death. Uniquely Christ’s death is not the end, but the completion of his sacrificial offering. It allows him to completely transform human flesh and makes it capable of “rational sacrifice.” We too can participate in his life giving death through our own sacrifice. Further, Christ continues to operate our salvation in his return of love to the Father in heaven. Note that only divine beings have the capacity to glorify divine beings: Only the Son can please and glorify the father. We hear this much at theophany. Christ is the beloved son in whom the Father’s favor rests. Christ continues to please the Father and in heaven, returning glory for glory. Note that after the ascension, Christ does this as “perfect God, and perfect man,” that is, human flesh participates in this glory. This is why Christ’s priesthood on earth continues in heaven. This is also why we have “a better hope.” Christ’s vicarious sacrifice opens the door for our redemption. That possibility doesn’t end with his death, it only continues to invite us to unite our flesh and sacrifice to his.