We keep the coming feast of the Lord through deeds not words.

On the Fifth Sunday of Lent our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the beginning of the letter to the Hebrews (20:1-13; 21:4-9) entitled "The Son and heir of all things is exalted above the angels". Our treasure, which follows, is from an Easter letter by Saint Athanasius, bishop. Saint Athanasius was born at Alexandria in 295. He served as Patriarch of Alexandria for a period of his life, leading the church in Egypt and playing a significant role in shaping the early church. He accompanied Alexander to the Council of Nicaea and succeeded him as Bishop of Alexandria.   Saint Atanasius defended the full divinity of Jesus Christ against the heresy of Arianism, insisting that the Son is truly God and "of the same substance" as the Father. Despite exile and opposition, he upheld the faith defined at the First Council of Nicaea (325), preserving the truth that only if Christ is fully divine can He truly save us. His unwavering witness secured the Church's understanding of the Trinity and made him one of the most important defenders of orthodox Christology.   His writings are outstanding in their explanation and defense of the true teachings of the faith. Athanasius penned numerous theological treatises, including "On the Incarnation" and the "Four Orations Against the Arians," which are still studied for their profound insights into the nature of Christ. His writings, particularly "The Life of St. Antony," a biography of the desert father that influenced the growth of monasticism in both the East and the West, are believed to have played a significant role in the conversion of St. Augustine.  Saint Athanasius is a Doctor of the Church. He died in 373.   As early as the second century, this 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.