Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, May the Lord give you his peace. As we gather on this sacred night, we are reminded of the profound mystery of our faith—the Body and Blood of Christ that we receive in the Eucharist. This evening, we find rich symbolism in the Scripture readings that lead us to a deeper understanding of our participation in this heavenly banquet.
In the first reading from Exodus, we find the Israelites on the eve of the most significant event in their history: their liberation from slavery in Egypt. God instructs Moses and Aaron to prepare for the Passover, commanding each household to select a lamb, unblemished and perfect, which they will sacrifice. The blood of this lamb marks their doors, a safeguard against the destruction that would visit the land of Egypt. The Israelites are told to eat this lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, dressed for a journey, as they prepare to flee from bondage.
This Passover meal is not merely a historical event retold—it's a promise fulfilled in our own lives. Just as the blood of the lamb protected the Israelites, the blood of Christ even more powerfully safeguards us from spiritual death. The lamb of the Passover foreshadows our Lord, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.
St. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, reminds us of the Last Supper, where Jesus takes bread and wine and transforms them into his Body and Blood. “This is my body that is for you,” he says. Here, we see the continuity of God’s plan for salvation from the Passover lamb to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. In consuming the Body and Blood of Christ, we are engaging in a profound act of communion, just as the Israelites participated in the Passover meal.
Our responsorial psalm tonight echoes this sentiment beautifully: “Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.” It emphasizes not just the act of receiving but also the intimate relationship we cultivate through this sacrament. When we partake of the Eucharist, we are united not only with Christ but also with one another—the entire Body of Christ.
This leads us to the Gospel passage from John, where we observe Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. This act of humility and service exemplifies the new commandment given by Jesus: “Love one another as I have loved you.” The connection between the Eucharist and the washing of the feet is profound. The Eucharist is an invitation to love, and Jesus poignantly demonstrates that love through service.
Tonight, we are called to reflect on how we live out this love in our daily lives. Jesus has shown us that receiving the Eucharist demands action in the world—serving those in need, loving our neighbors, and living in humility. Just as the Israelites were prepared for their exodus, we too must prepare ourselves to be sent forth into the world, nourished by Christ’s Body and Blood, equipped to be instruments of His love.
As we journey through this Triduum, let us open our hearts to the mystery of faith that is present in the Eucharist, echoing the sacrifice of the Passover lamb, and allowing it to transform our lives. Let us hold fast to this great gift and treasure it as the Israelites treasured their deliverance—the meal of service, the meal of love, the meal that assures us of our redemption.
Let us pray that we may enter into this sacred mystery with reverence and awe, uniting ourselves to Christ in the Eucharist and to one another in acts of love and service. Amen
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