The Perfect Sacrifice

A Reflection on the Second Reading for Sunday, November 17th, 2024:
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Hebrews
​10.11-14, 18

Every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins.

But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, “he sat down at the right hand of God,” and since then has been waiting “until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.” For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

Where there is forgiveness of sin and lawless deeds, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

This passage views Jesus’ sacrifice as the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Jesus now provides the ultimate offering that is perfect and permanent, which negates the need for any future sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. 

Instead of ritualistic sin sacrifices, we must now offer a contrite heart that is oriented towards Him. This is reminiscent of Psalm 40:6, which says, “In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear.” Through Jesus, we now see the truth about our reality: that we are set apart for God with hearts inscribed with the new covenant, ratified by Jesus’ blood. 

During a Catholic Mass, we renew this covenant through Holy Communion. At each Mass, Jesus’ perfect sacrifice is offered again – but this time our imperfections are offered along with it. By participating in the Mass, we join in on the sacrifice. When the Body and Blood are being lifted up by the priest, I find myself saying in my heart: “I offer up all of who I am, all of who I have been, and all of who I want to be.” I feel that this is the most I can offer to God – full surrender of my life so that I may receive His gift and His will more completely. When I receive the Eucharist, it is as though I am putting aside my own desires and instead embracing God’s. 

We have freedom from our sins not through our own actions, like daily animal sacrifices, but because God paid the ultimate price for us – all we have to do is receive.




Ronnie Noonan-Birch

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