Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ; The Ten Holy Martyrs of Crete (249-51)
Hebrews 10:1-18; Mark 8:30-34
Nativity Fast. Abstinence from meat and foods that contain meat.
Read Hebrews 10:1-18
Today, St. Paul reminds us, as we are preparing for the celebration of the Nativity of our Lord, that the Old Testament finds its fulfilment in Jesus Christ. He became a human being in order to die for our salvation. He is the true and eternal sacrifice that has the power to effect real change in our life. Jesus is not only the offering but also the offerer—the High Priest who is our mediator between God and man. For this reason, the Aaronic priesthood no longer has any use or purpose for it has been superseded by someone much greater. The life of grace in the Holy Spirit is what the Lord offers to all those who welcome him, follow him, worship him, obey him and who love him. The Old Testament compared to this life of grace can only be described as a shadow. St. Symeon the New Theologian says:
Those who lived before grace, since they were under the law, found themselves sitting under its shadow. Those who have come after grace and the day have arrived have been delivered from the shadow, the slavery of the law. They have risen above the law, having climbed as it were, the ladder of the life to the Gospel. They have been lifted up on the high to share the life of the lawgiver rather than keepers of the law. (Discourse 28.4)