Daily Devotion – October 21, 2021 – The Rev. Albert W. Triolo

Hebrews 7:23-28 (NRSV)

Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Devotion

Nations rise and fall. Trends fade as quickly as they are set. As soon as we get comfortable with the way things are, everything gets turned upside down. All of this can be very unsettling. Violence, diagnoses, market shifts, public policies, and pandemics all remind us that nothing stays the same. Well, almost nothing. Christ, our high priest, is eternal: “God from God, light from light…of one being with the Father, through Him all things were made,” we confess. Things of this world constantly disappoint us; sadly, even those we love can hurt us. Christ came to the world he loved and created, and still, he was rejected and crucified, even those who loved him were persecuted. But he is eternal. Raised from the dead and ascended to the right hand of God, he now intercedes for us. Because he lives, we too might approach God and live in newness of life.

Prayer

“Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that thou art: thou my best thought both by day and by night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.” In the name of our Triune God. Amen. (Text: Irish, 8th cent)