From a homily on Leviticus by Origen, priest
Christ the High Priest makes atonement for our sins |
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Once
a year the high priest, leaving the people outside, entered that place
where no one except the high priest might enter. In it was the
mercy-seat, and above the mercy-seat the cherubim, as well as the ark of
the covenant and the altar of incense.
John the apostle, knowing of the atonement that Christ makes to the Father for all men, says this: Little
children, I say these things so that you may not sin. But if we have
sinned we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the just one.
He is the atonement for our sins in his blood, through faith. We have then a day of atonement that remains until the world comes to an end.
God’s word tells us: The high priest shall put
incense on the fire in the sight of the Lord. The smoke of the incense
shall cover the mercy-seat above the tokens of the covenant, so that he
may not die. He shall take some of the blood of the bull-calf and
sprinkle it with his finger over the mercy-seat toward the east.
There is a deeper meaning in the fact that the high
priest sprinkles the blood toward the east. Atonement comes to you from
the east. From the east comes the one whose name is Dayspring, he who is
mediator between God and men. You are invited then to look always to
the east: it is there that the sun of righteousness rises for you, it is
there that the light is always being born for you. You are never to
walk in darkness; the great and final day is not to enfold you in
darkness. Do not let the night and mist of ignorance steal upon you. So
that you may always enjoy the light of knowledge, keep always in the
daylight of faith, hold fast always to the light of love and peace.
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