Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the king of Israel.

On Passion Sunday of Holy Week our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the letter to the Hebrews (10:1-18) entitled "We are sanctified by through the offering of Christ". Our treasure, which follows, is from a sermon by Saint Andrew of Crete, bishop. Saint Andrew of Crete, also known as Andrew of Jerusalem, was an eighth century bishop, theologian, homilist, and hymnographer. He is venerated as a saint in both Eastern Orthodoxy and the Catholic Church. Saint Andrew's primary contribution to the teachings of the Catholic Church lies in his profound development of sacred hymnody as a vehicle for theology, most especially through the Great Canon. In this masterwork, he wove together Scripture, repentance, and personal conversion into a deeply reflective and poetic form, helping the faithful enter more fully into the reality of sin, the need for repentance, and the mercy of God. His contribution is not a new doctrinal formulation, but a powerful way of teaching and interiorizing doctrine—especially repentance and salvation—through liturgical prayer, shaping the spiritual life of the Church in a lasting way. Nine canons are assigned to him. As early as the second century, this letter or treatise, which is of great rhetorical power and force in its admonition to faithful pilgrimage under Christ's leadership, bore the title "To the Hebrews." It was assumed to be directed to Jewish Christians. Usually, Hebrews was attached in Greek manuscripts to the collection of letters by Paul. Although no author is mentioned (for there is no address), a reference to Timothy suggested connections to the circle of Paul and his assistants. Yet the exact audience, the author, and even whether Hebrews is a letter have long been disputed. The central message of the Epistle to the Hebrews is that Jesus Christ is the perfect and eternal High Priest who fulfills and surpasses the old covenant, offering Himself once for all for the salvation of humanity. The letter teaches that through Christ, believers have direct access to God, and it calls them to persevere in faith, especially in times of trial, trusting in His definitive sacrifice. By showing how Christ completes the meaning of the Law, priesthood, and sacrifices of the Old Testament, Hebrews urges Christians to remain steadfast, confident, and faithful to Him.