The High Priest of the Jews, when engaged in one, and that most solemn office, wore the vestments of an ordinary priest. Observe now that herein he figured out our Lord Jesus Christ, especially when making atonement upon the cross for the sins of the world. Saint Paul reminds us of this: He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and in habit formed as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even to the death of the cross. Yet as the Jewish High Priest was in his greatest glory when engaged in the special offices of that great day of atonement, so was our Lord and Saviour most glorious in His great humiliation on Calvary, and when crucified through weakness, He redeemed us by His atoning death, and so be assured that we are never more truly exalted than when we are bearing the cross of self-denial, or of any trial and suffering for His sake. If you be reproached (says Saint Peter) for the name of Christ, you shall be blessed, for that which is of the honour, power, and glory of God, and that which is His Spirit resteth upon you. Let us not turn aside then from the cross of trial, however humiliating and painful, though hard to bear. Only draw, and keep nigh to God. Happy shall we be, and happy are we now, if we truly rest on Christ and His most precious blood as shed for us. It is by trials and sufferings that we are perfected. If we are valiant in the conflict with sin, the world, and the Devil, we shall win a crown brighter (far beyond all words can describe) than the brightest that monarchs wear, of gold and gems of great price.
- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp