Ascension of the Lord Year C: 2nd Reading

Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23

Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands,
   a copy of the true one, but heaven itself,
   that he might now appear before God on our behalf.
Not that he might offer himself repeatedly,
   as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary
   with blood that is not his own;
   if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly
   from the foundation of the world.
But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages
   to take away sin by his sacrifice.
Just as it is appointed that men and women die once,
   and after this the judgment, so also Christ,
   offered once to take away the sins of many,
   will appear a second time, not to take away sin
   but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since through the blood of Jesus
   we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary
   by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil,
   that is, his flesh,
   and since we have “a great priest over the house of God, ”
   let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust,
   with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
   and our bodies washed in pure water.
Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope,
   for he who made the promise is trustworthy.