But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

Hebrews 9:11-15

He climbed out of bed, stumbled to his table, sat. He drank water, felt the coolness rushing into his empty stomach. The bread will be hard as a rock, he thought. He debated with himself if he should even eat, or take the opportunity to fast. No, he decided. He’d been three days already without food. He would eat.

He drew some of the figs and olives from the pantry, then went to the place where the bread was to be found. He reached in, pulled out one of the hard round loaves, broke it. Inside, the bread was soft; the crust crisp, but not stone hard.

How could this be? The bread had been like stones the night before.

He paused, gave thanks, ate the bread. He drank the water.

Then he made his way to the cave where Mass was said to pray, to give thanks for the small miracle.