ISB ~ Hebrews 13 v10

an altar:Many interpret this as a reference to the Cross or to the sacrifice of Jesus in general. More likely, it refers to the eucharistic altar of the Church, which is off-limits to the non-Christian priests serving at the sanctuary altar in Jerusalem. In favor of this reading, several considerations suggest that the Eucharist is a significant, albeit submerged, element in the theology of Hebrews. (1) The towering importance of the New Covenant throughout the letter points in this direction, since Jesus mentioned “the new covenant” only in the context of the Last Supper (Lk 22:20; 1 Cor 11:25). This would not go unnoticed by readers familiar with the Gospels’ traditions. (2) At one point, the author seems to allude to the eucharistic words of Jesus (See note on Heb 9:20). Not only so, but the allusion leads to a significant point about the relationship between shedding blood and the forgiveness of sins (9:22), a point that Jesus himself also made in the words of institution (Mt 26:27-28). (3) A reference to the Eucharist probably occurs in 6:4, where Christian initiation involves tasting a “heavenly gift”. (4) The typology in 7:1-3 invites us to consider the links between Jesus and the priest Melchizedek. Christian readers would naturally see a prefigurement of the sacrament in the “bread and wine” offered by Melchizedek (Gen 14:18). (5) Hebrews teaches that we draw near to God and actually enter his heavenly sanctuary “by the blood of Jesus” (10:19) and “through his flesh” (10:20). It is difficult to know how the humanity of Christ enables us to accomplish this in the present apart from Eucharistic Communion (CCC 1182).