Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; I Cor 11:23-26; John
13:1-15
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.
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, do 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 reenact 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 reenact the sacrifice.
There are Cherubim and Seraphim waiting at
his feet. But he has not given this power to any of the Angels. By commanding
them to reenact 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 reenact 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