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From the first time Abraham heard the Word, the people sought to offer sacrifices. The ancient Israelites were not alone in this custom; most ancient Near Eastern religions had some variation of this tradition.
The problem with offering sacrifices to atone for impurities and imperfections, however, is that nothing stays purified permanently. And the God of Abraham and Sarah ultimately desires mercy not sacrifice, forgiveness rather than atonement.
And so this God shows up in body and blood, an infant growing into a man, to offer us a human and divine self for our redemption and example. As the second reading indicates, once Jesus’ blood is offered, no other sacrifice could ever compare. One death so that all could have eternal life. And more, this living and dying and rising is an invitation for us to offer ourselves back.
The One who gave a name to Abraham, whispered to Moses from the burning bush, inspired Esther, breathed a baby into Mary has only ever wanted us – as we are – in love. This feast celebrates the way that God holds nothing back from us, gives us all of Jesus, so that we might respond with nothing less than all of ourselves. May it be so.