8 – EIGHT
(NEW BEGINNINGS AND SANCTIFICATION)
In biblical numerology, the number eight holds profound significance, symbolizing new beginnings and sanctification. This rich symbolism is deeply rooted in both Scripture and Christian tradition, offering valuable insights for our spiritual lives.
The Eighth Day: A New Creation
The concept of the “eighth day” is central to understanding its spiritual significance. In the Genesis account, God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. The eighth day, therefore, represents the start of a new week and, by extension, a new creation. This idea is beautifully reflected in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Jesus rose from the dead ‘on the first day of the week.’ Because it is the ‘first day,’ the day of Christ’s resurrection recalls the first creation. Because it is the ‘eighth day’ following the sabbath, it symbolizes the new creation ushered in by Christ’s resurrection” (CCC 2174).
This connection between the eighth day and new creation is evident in early Christian architecture. Many ancient baptismal fonts were octagonal, symbolizing that through baptism, we become a new creation in Christ.
Eight and Covenant
In the Old Testament, the number eight is closely associated with covenant and new beginnings. God commanded Abraham to circumcise male children on the eighth day as a sign of the covenant (Gen 17:12). This practice signified the child’s initiation into the covenant community and a new beginning in their relationship with God.
The significance of eight continues in the New Testament. After the Great Flood, God saved Noah’s family – eight people in total – to begin anew. This prefigures baptism, through which we are saved and given new life in Christ (1 Pet 3:20-21).
Sanctification and Purification
In Levitical law, the number eight is often associated with purification and sanctification. Animals were not acceptable for sacrifice until the eighth day after their birth (Lev 22:27). Similarly, those who were ritually unclean had to undergo seven days of purification, with the eighth day marking their return to a state of ritual purity (Lev 14:8-10; 15:13-14).
Sunday: The Eighth Day for Catholics
For Catholics, Sunday holds special significance as both the first and the eighth day. It commemorates Christ’s resurrection and the new creation it inaugurated. The Catechism states, “For Christians it has become the first of all days, the first of all feasts, the Lord’s Day – Sunday” (CCC 2174).
Attending Mass on Sunday is not just fulfilling an obligation, but participating in a foretaste of heaven. As one Catholic writer beautifully expresses: “The Eighth Day reminds us that when we walk into church on Sunday for Mass, we are glimpsing our first day in heaven… As we enter the church for Mass, we must let go of all that is wrong about ourselves and in the world. All that hurts. All the disappointments. All the divisions. All the darkness.”
REFLECTION
As we reflect on the significance of eight in our faith tradition, let us embrace the opportunity for new beginnings that each Sunday offers. Let us approach the Lord’s Day with hearts open to renewal and sanctification.
Remember that sanctification is not a one-time event, but a lifelong process. As St. Paul exhorts, “This is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thes 4:3). Each Sunday, as we participate in the Eucharist, we are nourished and strengthened for this journey of becoming more like Christ.
Let us also carry the spirit of the eighth day throughout our week. May we strive to live each day as a new beginning, open to God’s transforming grace and seeking to bring a glimpse of heaven to earth through our words and actions. In this way, we can truly live out the meaning of the eighth day – continual renewal and sanctification in Christ, as we journey towards our ultimate new beginning in the eternal eighth day of heaven.
In conclusion, the number eight serves as a powerful reminder of God’s redemptive plan. It invites us to embrace the gift of new beginnings, to participate in the ongoing work of sanctification, and to live our lives as a reflection of the risen Christ.