Image by Melissa Clayton
Mark 14: 12-16, 1 Corinthians 5:7, Exodus 12: 3-14, Matthew 26:26-30, John 6:54
Here we are on this journey together. We have packed our bags and have been running full force over the past 38 days. We packed our bags full of the items we would need to get through the desert of Lent with the Lord. And here we are standing at the edge of the Triduum.
There are three parts of Passover ritual in Exodus 12 that are very important: the sacrifice of the victim, the blood rite, and finally the sacrificial meal. The victim is very clear for us, a year-old unblemished lamb. The word “unblemished” gives the impression that this lamb must be perfect, but it merely means living in a way of perfection. We are called to be these lambs as well. We are called to be like the ultimate spotless, unblemished lamb by following the commandments. Next, is the blood rite. In 1 Peter 1:19:
“By Christ’s blood that is beyond all price, the blood of the spotless, unblemished lamb…”
This has us look to the Paschal Lamb and shows us that Christ is the true and eternal paschal lamb, Who is perfect without sin. But it doesn’t stop there. In fact, the paschal lamb had nothing to do with forgiveness - but the Lamb of God does. This is where we can attribute a redemptive value to the blood of the lamb. But the sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb is the ultimate act of the forgiveness of sins. The Lord is saving His people from their own sins and their own self-destruction.
Lastly, just as the Hebrews ate the flesh of the Paschal Lamb, we too are called to eat the Flesh and Blood of our Lord in the Eucharist. By receiving the Body and blood we are renewed and are allowed the strength to the ultimate wedding feast with the Lamb.
On Holy Thursday, this exact night was the night that we had the institution of the Eucharist. As said on Monday, we have to Behold the Lamb because of the sacrifice He makes for us and so that we are strengthened for the rest of the journey.
We have received an amazing gift. A gift to be able to receive happiness and joy because our sins are being forgive each time we eat His flesh and drink His blood so that we might have eternal life with him. When we open this gift and make use of it-this is when we will truly see the most fruit from it.
