THE PASSOVER

“It is the Passover of the Lord.” –Exodus 12:11

Mass Readings: July 21
First: Wisdom 8:9-16;Resp: Psalm 67:2-5,7-8;Gospel: Luke 9:1-6

Listen to the Mass Readings

Through the Passover, the Lord freed the Israelite nation from centuries of slavery. The Lord chose to do one of His greatest works through a family meal accompanied by prayer. This Passover meal was so important that it became “a memorial feast” to be celebrated by all generations “as a perpetual institution” (Ex 12:14).

A few hours before Jesus died on the cross to save us all from sin and for eternal life, He said: “With great desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Lk 22:15, our transl.). Then Jesus commanded: “Do this as a remembrance of Me” (Lk 22:19). Jesus connected the Passover with His death on the cross. He made the Eucharist the ultimate Passover.

St. Paul not only identified the Eucharist with the Passover but went so far as to call Jesus our Passover (1 Cor 5:7).

The Passover is the great liberation-feast and the salvation-memorial. How important is the Passover in your life? How great is your desire to celebrate the Passover? Do you want to receive Christ, your Passover, daily? Do you invite others to the new Passover? Is your life centered on the eucharistic Jesus? Celebrate the Passover.

PRAYER: Father, may I desire to eat the Passover more than I desire anything else.
PROMISE: “Seeing the blood, I will pass over you; thus, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you.” –Ex 12:13
PRAISE: St. Lawrence of Brindisi still teaches us in his homilies that fill nine volumes.