Pre-feast of Theophany. Synaxis of the Seventy Holy Apostles. Our Venerable Father Theoctistus, Hegumen of the Cucomo Monastery in Sicily.
Hebrews 10:1-18; Mark 8:30-34.
Read Hebrews 10:1-18
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
Today’s reading from the Epistle to the Hebrews describes the powerlessness of Old Testament sacrifices. Although they prefigure the one perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross, these sacrifices were ineffective at redeeming humanity from sin. Today at the Divine Liturgy, however, we enter into and make anamnesis of the one, perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross which redeems us from our sins.
We, too, brothers and sisters, are called to make a sacrifice of ourselves to the Lord. Recall the words of Psalm 50 in which the psalmist says, “A sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit. A humbled and contrite heart God will not spurn.”
Our sacrifice is redemptive when united to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. In making this sacrifice, may we offer ourselves in thanksgiving to God for all He has done for us.