NOTES for Heb 8:1-6

In today’s reading we hear that the Old Testament priests served only a copy and shadow of the heavenly reality. But how can this be? We know that the people of Israel truly were God’s people and that the rites were established according to His instructions! Yet the apostle Paul does not claim that the Old Testament religion was untrue. The point is somewhat different. The reality of the Kingdom of Heaven exists: the reality of God’s world. As a consequence of original sin, humanity lost direct access to His Kingdom, and everything that happened on earth before the Redemption was only a shadow of what takes place in Eternity. Christ’s sacrifice transforms everything. This sacrifice was accomplished in Eternity and made it possible for fallen humanity to return to Eternity. Moreover, from now on every Eucharist is a window into eternity, for it is the very same Sacrifice of Christ.