JESUS IS OUR PASSOVER LAMB
Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch
Tonight, we gather to celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. This celebration calls to mind the Jewish sacred feast of Passover. The Passover calls to mind the night when God, in his great mercy, passed over the houses of the Israelites, sparing their firstborn sons from the plague of death that befell the land of Egypt. It was the moment of liberation, when God led his people out of slavery and into freedom. According to Jewish tradition, the Passover meal included the eating of unleavened bread and the sharing of a sacrificial lamb (Exodus 12:3-14). Each year, the Israelites would gather to celebrate this great event, recalling God’s faithfulness and deliverance.
It is within the context of this sacred feast that we find Jesus and his disciples gathered in the upper room, sharing a meal together. As they reclined at the table, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body.” He then took the cup, gave thanks, and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:26-30).
In these simple yet profound actions, Jesus gave the traditional Jewish Passover a radically new meaning. He transformed the Passover meal into something new and extraordinary. He took the elements of the traditional Passover feast - the bread and the wine - and infused them with new meaning. No longer merely symbols of liberation from slavery in Egypt and protection from physical death, they now become symbols of liberation from sin and eternal death. Now, it is Jesus himself who becomes the sacrificial lamb. Jesus, the Lamb of God, becomes the ultimate Passover sacrifice, offering himself as the true and perfect Lamb whose blood brings redemption and salvation to all who believe.
Just as the blood of the Passover lamb protected the Israelites from the destroyer, so too does the blood of Jesus protect us from the power of sin and eternal damnation. Through his sacrifice on the cross, Jesus offered us a new and everlasting covenant, not sealed in the blood of a mere animal but sealed in his own blood. Therefore, as we partake of the Eucharist, we enter into communion with Christ, uniting ourselves with his sacrifice and receiving the grace of forgiveness and new life.
In the Gospel accounts of this sacred evening, we find Jesus not only sharing the bread and wine with his disciples but also taking on the role of a servant, stooping down to wash the feet of his followers (John 13:2:15). This act of foot washing was a powerful symbol of humility and selflessness. In the culture of that time, foot washing was typically done by the lowest of servants, yet, here we see the Son of God, the one who came to save the world, performing this menial task for his disciples. In doing so, Jesus teaches us that true greatness is found not in power or prestige, but in humble service to others.
But there is even deeper significance to this act of foot washing. In washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus foreshadowed the ultimate act of self-giving love that he is about to perform on the cross. Just as he laid aside his outer garment and took on the role of a servant, so too will he lay down his life for the salvation of the world. The washing of the feet thus becomes a prefiguration of the sacrificial love that Jesus will demonstrate in his Passion and death.
Furthermore, in the act of washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus set an example for the sacred priesthood that he also instituted on this day. The priesthood is intricately united with the Eucharist. Each exists for the other. Jesus told his disciples, “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you” (John 13:14-15). Here, Jesus established the principle of servant leadership that is to characterize the ministry of priests throughout the ages. The sacred priesthood is not a position of power or privilege, but rather a call to selfless service and sacrificial love, following in the footsteps of our Lord and Master.
Lastly, as we gather on this Holy Thursday, let us appreciate the immense love that Jesus showed us by giving us his body and blood for our spiritual nourishment. Let us also be inspired by the example of Jesus Christ, who teaches us the true meaning of greatness and calls us to lives of humble service. May we imitate his love and selflessness in our own lives, and may we always strive to serve one another with the same spirit of humility and compassion that he has shown us. Amen.
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