Consecration of the Church

SUNDAY
The Earthly And The Heavenly Sanctuaries
Hebrews 9:1-12
Brothers and Sisters:
Even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was constructed, the first one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence; this is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a tent called the Holy of Holies. In it stood the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which there were a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot speak now in detail. Such preparations having been made, the priests go continually into the first tent to carry out their ritual duties; but only the high priest goes into the second, and he but once a year, and not without taking the blood that he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people. By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the sanctuary has not yet been disclosed as long as the first tent is still standing. This is a symbol of the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, but deal only with food and drink and various baptisms, regulations for the body imposed until the time comes to set things right. But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. Praise be to God always!
Peter’s Declaration about Jesus
Matthew 16:13-20
The Apostle said: When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. This is the truth. Peace be with you.

Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Hundreds of prophecies, some apparently contradictory, promised a Messiah. We would have a king, a priest, a prophet, David’s son and Lord, a suffering man, a victim, a conqueror. Christ takes all of these apparent contradictions and fulfills them in Himself. He saves us with his own blood and by His own sacrifice. Christ fulfills the prophecies, in a beautiful way for our benefit. He truly was the Messiah, with all that entails.

Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
God of mercy,
pour out your grace on all those who honor your Church
on the feast of its sanctification.
Enlighten them with your word,
guide them to knowledge of you
and obtain for them the true bread.
Pour out your mercy on them in this world
and grant them eternal life in the next,
so that they may praise you,
your Father and your Holy Spirit,
now and for ever.
Amen.