Righteousness and Sacrifice

When it comes to the Holy Scriptures, we cannot take for granted that we always know what we are reading without the Church guiding us. I am constantly reminding people of the words of the Ethiopian Eunuch when he answered Saint Philip, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8.31) It was a simple question. “Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8.30) Today’s reading from Proverbs is another example of that.

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin. The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but every one who is hasty comes only to want. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death. The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just. The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is right. It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious woman. The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge. The righteous observes the house of the wicked; the wicked are cast down to ruin. He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself cry out and not be heard. A gift in secret averts anger; and a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath. When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers. A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright. It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful woman. Precious treasure remains in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor. – Proverbs 21.3-21

At first glance the opening verse would suggest we don’t need to bother with coming to Church because God would be more pleased if we just do righteousness. Forget for the moment that we rarely do acts of righteousness. I want to focus on the word sacrifice. The Greek text states “blood sacrifices” which better clarifies the opening verse. God is more pleased with righteousness that blood sacrifices is something we can live with. Right?

What about Holy Communion? While there are no longer any blood killings in the Church, there is Holy Communion, which is the blood offering of and from God. “Your own of Your own we offer to You.” With these words of sacrifice, we ask the Holy Spirit to descend and change the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. Is today’s reading in Proverbs suggesting that we don’t need Holy Communion so long as we do righteousness?

I don’t think so. It was Christ who said, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood you have not life in you.” (John 6.53) There must be something more, and that is the whole point of the Great Fast. All our sacrifices are of no benefit if they do not lead to righteousness. In fact, we need both Holy Communion AND righteousness in our lives, so before you take the next week off from attending Church services, remember this. When it comes to the spiritual life, there is no such thing as either/or, but both/and.