Pre-feast of Theophany. Our Holy Father Sylvester, Pope of Rome (335).
Hebrews 8:7-13; Mark 8:11-21.
Read Hebrews 8:7-13
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
Today’s selection from the Letter to the Hebrews gives us an opportunity to marvel at the mystery of the Incarnation, the Word become flesh, and His mission of healing, redemption, restoration, and salvation. . The writer is explaining why the priesthood of Jesus, our Master, is greater than the priesthood determined by the Old Covenant that the Lord established with Israel. At this point in the letter, a section of the prophecy of Jeremiah is quoted (See Jeremiah 31:31-34). From this selection we learn a few things:
The Lord Himself told His people that the present covenant (the Old Covenant) was not fully satisfactory. The Lord will establish a new covenant.
This new covenant will not only be new in quality but also new in kind. This new covenant will let the old covenant age into decay.
This new covenant will have a new scope. It will include Israel and Judah—they will be united.
The new covenant will be universal—it will be with all peoples.
While the old covenant was external, written on tablets, the new covenant will be written upon the hearts and minds of people.
Whereas the old covenant demanded obedience to the Law by one’s own efforts, the new covenant will be based on the love of God. Everything will be based on His grace.
As we mediate on the mystery of salvation over these next few days, let’s join the whole Church in singing the pre-festal troparion for this time:
Troparion, Tone 4: Make ready, O Zebulon,* and prepare yourself, O Nephtali;* O river Jordan, stop and receive with joy* the Master coming to be baptized.* O Adam, rejoice with the first mother, Eve,* and do not hide yourselves as before in paradise.* For having seen you unclothed* Christ has appeared to clothe you with the first robe:* He has appeared to renew all creation.