²³ It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ hasn’t entered into holy places made with hands, which are representations of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; ²⁵ nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place year by year with blood not his own, ²⁶ or else he must have suffered often since the foundation of the world. But now once at the end of the ages, he has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷ Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment, ²⁸ so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation.

Commentary

From “Christ in His Mysteries” by Bl. Columba Marmion (+1923)

On the day of his ascension Christ, the supreme high priest of the human race, having conferred on us a legal title, bears us up with him in hope to heaven. We must never forget that it is only through him that we can gain entrance there. No human being can penetrate the Holy of Holies except with him; no creature can enjoy eternal happiness except in the wake of Jesus; it is his precious merits that win us infinite bliss. For all eternity we shall say to him, ‘Because of you, Jesus Christ, because of the blood you shed for us, we stand before God’s face. It is your sacrifice, your immolation, that wins our every moment of glory and happiness. To you, the Lamb that was slain, be all honour and praise and thanksgiving!’ 

In this interval of time until Christ comes to fetch us as he promised, he is preparing a place for us, and above all he is supporting us by his prayer. Indeed, what is our High Priest doing in heaven? The Letter to the Hebrews gives the answer: he has entered heaven in order to stand now in God’s presence our behalf. His priesthood is eternal, and therefore eternal too is his work as mediator. How infinitely powerful is his influence! There he stands before his Father, unceasingly offering him that sacrifice recalled by the marks of the wounds he has voluntarily retained; there he stands, alive for ever, ever interceding for us. 

As high priest he is unfailingly heard, and for our sake he speaks again the priestly prayer of the last supper: Father it is for them that I pray. They are in the world. Guard those whom you have given me. I pray for them, that they may have in themselves the fullness of joy. Father, I will that they may be with me where I am. 

How could these sublime truths of our faith fail to inspire us with unwavering confidence? People of scanty faith though we are, what have we to fear? And what may we not hope? Jesus is praying for us, and praying always. Let us then trust absolutely in the sacrifice, the merits, and the prayer of our High Priest. He is the beloved Son in whom the Father delights; how could he be refused a hearing, after showing his Father such love? 

Father, look upon your Son. Through him and in him grant us to be one day where he is, so that through him and with him we may also render to you all honour and glory. 

Musical Selection

Great High Priest, we view Thee stooping,
With our names upon Thy breast,
In the garden groaning, drooping,
To the ground with horrors pressed.
Weeping angels stand confounded,
To behold their Maker thus,
And can we remain unwounded,
When we know ’twas all for us?

On the cross Thy body broken,
Cancels every penal tie;
Tempted souls, produce this token
All demands to satisfy.
All is finished; do not doubt it,
But believe your dying Lord;
Never reason more about it,
Only take Him at His Word.

Lord, we fain would trust Thee solely;
’Twas for us Thy blood was spilt;
Bruised Bridegroom, take us wholly,
Take, and make us what Thou wilt.
Thou hast borne the bitter sentence
Passed on man’s devoted race;
True belief and true repentance
Are Thy gifts, Thou God of grace.

Collect

10 For the law, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near. ² Or else wouldn’t they have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins? ³ But in those sacrifices there is a yearly reminder of sins. ⁴ For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. ⁵ Therefore when he comes into the world, he says,

“You didn’t desire sacrifice and offering,
    but you prepared a body for me.
⁶ You had no pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin.
⁷     Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me)
    to do your will, O God.’”

Commentary

Musical Selection (lyrics in video)

Collect