Epiphany 10

Lord and Redeemer,

You established in your covenant access to your own holy presence. By sacrifice, offering, and the mediation of a consecrated priest, those who sought forgiveness, reunion and connection to you could find it. The tabernacle bridged us to your will; by it we could follow you, and through it, the aroma of burnt sacrifice pleased you.

Yet you never desired sacrifice, nor were you hungry. The earth and all its fullness are yours for the taking, though you need them not. What you have always sought was the sacrifice of praise, that our hearts would overflow with your pleasing them, as your heart has ever overflowed with grace toward us. The risen Lord has fed us with his own body and blood—he who burned and ate fish with his disciples, above and beyond those he gave into their nets by his divine power. It is we, not you, Lord, who need to be fed. May our living sacrifice please you. Help us to love you and feed your lambs.