Monday, September 28, 2009

Yom Kippur

Today is Yom Kippur, which began at sundown last evening and continues until sundown this evening. It is the Day of Atonement, the highest and holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Leviticus 16 is where we find the ancient observance of Yom Kippur. More significant to Christians is how Christ's sacrifice ties into this divinely-established observance. To fulfill something is not to supersede it. So, let's turn to Hebrews chapters 8-11, looking especially at chapter 9, verses 11-15:

"But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be, passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation, he entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God. For this reason he is mediator of a new covenant: since a death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant, those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance."

UPDATE: If you are looking to verify that Israel is truly chosen by God, look at the history of the people of Israel, known to us today as the Jews, and consider the mere fact that they still exist as a people! The article I mentioned in Saturday's post appeared today on Il Sussidiario- Obama, Abbas, and Netanyahu: what about Gaza? I usually fast on Yom Kippur, but not this year because, as a Christian, I do not fast on Sunday. I have been praying for peace all day, invoking Mary, a daughter of Israel, who, in her Magnificat proclaims: "He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever."

Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad.

2 comments:

  1. I'm so disappointed that the "page did not exist" that I clicked on -- your "slogan" post.

    I've had a sick daughter and not much inclination to think about politics, but as always it is good to have thoughts provoked.

    I'm going to try to process my thoughts and blog something soon. Honestly, I really don't like politics. It's just something constantly tapping on my life of late.

    Between you and Suzanne I know I'll be raked across the coals, but I look forward to it ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am not intent on raking anyone over the coals. As far as politics go, engaging in them is inevitable to a certain degree. There is a certain tension generated from doing so, however. I try to make my only criteria for political commitment what the Gospel demands. I am okay that such a stance renders me incoherent to virtually everyone else.

    I try to steer clear of ready-made ideologies- I see Libertarianism as one such. I do see it as the opposite extreme of socialism, that is not to say we should not be concerned about gov't overreach, especially given who is now in charge of the government presently.

    ReplyDelete

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