“This Day Shall be a Memorial Feast for You"


Today's Mass Readings

Today's first reading is perhaps the most important Old Testament scripture from the perpsective of the life of the Church and its Eucharistc life. This is so because today's reading discribes the very first Passover. Because of the passover lamb, the people of Israel woud be spared, whereas, the first born of all Egyptians, including that of Pharoah, would face death. There are a few important points for consideration. First, God should not be considered to be the heartless one in these chain of events. Pahraoh was given enough warnings and opportunities to free a people he unjustly held in slavery. Second, God demands and unblemished lamb to be sacrificed for the Passover. This is so because, we must offer the best we have to God. Soon, God would offer his best to us (his Son Jesus), for our salvation. The unblemished lamb of the first Passover is merely the precursor to Jesus the "unblemished Lamb of God." Third, while that first Passover was limited in its universality, the New Passover of Jesus saved the whole world. Jesus saves us from the slavery of sin and death.

Every Eucharist is the celebration of the New Passover. Let us remember this the next time we attend the Eucharist and thank God for His eternal plan of salvation.

Let us end this reflection by praying today's Psalm response.

How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.

Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.

To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people. (Ps 116: 12-18)

Amen.