For generations throughout the centuries Jewish families have gathered to commemorate the night when God freed them from slavery under pharaoh in Egypt and led them into freedom.
They were freed by the blood of the lamb they sacrificed and whose blood they sprinkled on their doorposts.
God ordered the Israelites to keep this memorial feast and they have kept it as we heard in the first reading, as a perpetual institution, eating unleavened bread and a roasted lamb.
On a night like tonight, Jesus gathered his disciples to eat this Passover meal, to join in this ancient ritual, which celebrates the freedom of Israel.
On a night like tonight, Jesus taught his disciples He was the true lamb that was bringing lasting freedom to Israel.
On a night like tonight, Jesus provided true food and true blood becoming the new sacrificed Passover lamb. Before giving himself up on the cross, he willingly gave himself up at this very same meal saying “this is my body, this is my blood.”
On a night like tonight, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, giving them an example to follow. To follow the Lamb of God, one must serve others, washing their feet.
Tonight we gather in the same manner our Jewish ancestors did, and in the same manner our Jewish brothers and sisters do so today, but we gather to celebrate the freedom we have received through Jesus Christ, the true Lamb of God whose blood had set us free from sin and death.
Tonight we are blessed to be called to join in the supper of the lamb. Though unworthy to welcome him under the roof of our souls, He makes us worthy by calling us to Himself.
Tonight, like in the Exodus of Egypt, we partake of the liberating Lamb of God, but we, unlike our ancestors in Egypt who ate a dead lamb, we partake of Jesus Christ, the living Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. He is the true lamb who dies no more, and who through the Eucharist, gives us his own flesh for liberating heavenly food.
What an ancient mystery. What a humbling privilege.
Come let us keep watch with Him. Come let us adore Him.
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