Many people desired to leave behind them a concrete symbol
for the posterity to remember them. The Pharaohs of Egypt had thus built the
great pyramids of Egypt. It stands high, embraced by the heavenly clouds,
still bearing witness to the memories of Pharaohnic rule.
Former President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, figured his great face on a mountain between the cities of Pujo and Baguio. But on 30 December, 2002 the visage was blown to pieces.
Former President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, figured his great face on a mountain between the cities of Pujo and Baguio. But on 30 December, 2002 the visage was blown to pieces.
Jesus left behind him not a perishable monument,
but his very real presence in the institution of the Eucharist.
The Eucharist is the symbol of life giving bread. "I am the bread
of life…unless you will eat the flesh of the son of man you will have no
life in you (Jn 6). Interestingly, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and the
Hebrew name "Bethlehem" means "House of Bread".
Eucharist was instituted on the Day of Passover.
Passover for the Jews was one of the greatest feasts. It recalled the
major events in the history of salvation. To remember the great deeds of
God in delivering His people from Bondage, God commanded them to keep this
feast observing all the details as it was done in Egypt, when the Angel of
God came down and smote all the first born of the homes which were not
smeared with the blood of the lamb. After narrating the events, they ate
the unleavened bread together with the roasted lamb.
Lamb was an important symbol in the expiation
of sins. In Leviticus we read the account of transferring the sin of
the society onto the lamb. "The High Priest is to lay both hands
on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and
rebellion of the Israelites – all their sins – and put them on the goat's head.
He shall send the goat away into the desert in the care of a man appointed
for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place
(Lev.16:21-22)." The goat bore their sins and disappeared into the
desert. This gave the Israelites a visual image to "see" God
forgiving their sins. Before the scapegoat was sent out, the
high priest had sacrificed a goat and made atonement as a sin
offering for the nation of Israel. The law prescribed, "He
shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and
take its blood behind the curtain and do with it as he did with the
bull's blood; He shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover and in front of
it. (Lev 16:15). The reconciliation with God has been accomplished for the
year.
When John the Baptist was preaching repentance he
saw Jesus and he proclaimed "Behold the lamb of God who takes
away the sin of the world." When Jesus was pointed out as the Lamb of God,
John Knew well the role of the lamb in the Jewish tradition. When Abraham was
asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac, he willingly obeyed God's command. But,
as Abraham raised hands to slay him God called him. "Abraham does not
lay your hands on the child. Abraham looked up and saw a ram. He sacrificed it
to God. A male lamb is offered daily at the morning and evening sacrifice on
the Sabbath day, at the feast of the New Moon, of Trumpets, of
Tabernacles, of Pentecost, of Passover and on many other occasions.
Jesus the Lamb of God offered himself to God
at the last supper. Eucharist stands as a perfect offering. Jesus changed
the bread into his Body and wine into his Blood. He gave authority to his
disciples to re-enact this sacrifice. When he entrusted them with this
power he knew they were weak. He knew that Peter would deny Him. He
knew they would all hide for fear of the Jews. Still he has given them the
privilege and entrusted them with the power to re-enact the sacrifice.
There are Cherubim and Seraphim waiting at his
feet. Bu he has not given this power to any of the Angels. By commanding them
to re-enact this sacrifice in his memory Jesus has instituted the
sacrament of Holy Orders, and set them above the Angels. Even Mother
Mary had the opportunity to bring Jesus into the world only once. But he
comes down through the hands of the priest at every Eucharistic celebration.
Then Jesus reminded them that this authority is for
service. He demonstrated it by washing the feet of his disciples. And
Jesus gave them the new commandment. "Love one another as I have loved
you."
Every Christian who partakes in the body and blood
of Jesus should turn into the Lamb of God. He should be able to bear
witness to the new commandment of love. He should be able to re-enact the sacrifice
of Jesus. Then as John declared seeing Jesus, "Behold, the lamb of
God" our brothers should be able to point at us and say, "Behold
the lamb of God." For that the love taught by Jesus, the sympathy reflected
in the face of Jesus, the consolation found in the words of Jesus, the
forgiveness offered by Jesus, the Kindness shown by Jesus and the understanding radiated
through the actions of Jesus should be experienced through us. May Jesus
give us the strength and grace for this especially during the great Triduum.
Satish