THEOSISPaterius of Brescia
In our journey of faith, we must recognize that we often fall prey to misguided contemplations when we willingly immerse ourselves in worldly matters, even if these pursuits are permissible. When we allow earthly concerns to distract us, even in the smallest measure, we expose our souls to the influence of the ancient adversary, leading to an embarrassing façade of piety. This is why the priest of the Law, after dividing the offering, is instructed to incinerate its head and the portion near the liver, while the feet and internal organs must be cleansed with water. We offer ourselves as living sacrifices when we devote our lives to serving God. Our lives are like a shredded sacrifice placed upon the altar when we present our efforts without acknowledging them as acts of virtue.
Read more (183 words)
We burn the head and the surrounding part of the liver when our senses, which direct our actions and hidden urges, are ignited with divine love. Simultaneously, the washing of the feet and entrails is mandated, for the feet come into contact with the earth, and the entrails can harbor impurities. If, while fervently longing for eternity and willingly seeking the mortification of our flesh, we still become absorbed in worldly distractions due to our frailty, we inadvertently allow unacceptable thoughts to linger in our hearts—thoughts we have already triumphed over. When our minds are tainted by unclean pretenses, they become akin to the impurities found in the entrails. To truly purify these entrails, they must undergo cleansing, for it is essential to wash away unclean thoughts through a profound reverence for God. Once the offering is embraced by Him, they will be ignited with divine love. Furthermore, any thoughts of unjust disputes or reflections on past behaviors must be purified, as our sacrifice will shine more brightly in the eyes of our Creator when nothing worldly or questionable rests upon the altar.