Leviticus — Chapter 9

Moses commanded Israel to bring a kid of the goats for a sin-offering, and a calf and a lamb for holocausts (Lev. 9:3), and then a bull and a ram for peace-offerings. Lapide: the three species of sacrifice — sin-offering, holocaust, peace-offering — together figure the complete work of Christ: the sin-offering figures His atoning death; the holocaust, His total self-oblation to the Father; the peace-offerings, the reconciliation and peace He bestows on men. The Church's Eucharistic sacrifice incorporates all three dimensions.

Aaron raised his hands toward the people and blessed them (Lev. 9:22). Lapide: this is the first great sacerdotal blessing in Scripture, prototype of all priestly benedictions. The raising of hands (like the orans position in the Mass) signifies the lifting of the people's prayers to God, and the bestowal of divine blessing downward upon them. The priestly blessing is not a mere formality but an efficacious sign of grace: \"The Lord thy God hath chosen thee\" to bear His blessing to His people.

Fire came forth from before the Lord and consumed the holocaust and the fat portions upon the altar (Lev. 9:24). Lapide explains that this miraculous fire from heaven was the sign of God's acceptance of the priesthood and sacrifice of Aaron. He notes this same heavenly fire descended upon Elijah's sacrifice at Carmel (3 Kg. 18), and allegorically signifies the Holy Ghost descending upon the apostles and illuminating the altar of the Church.