-
-
Bread and wine are ancient elements of ritual worship in the history of God’s people. During the exodus of God’ s people from Egypt, the Passover Meal became a sign of the deliverance of God’s people from slavery. This act was instituted as a lasting memorial of the God’s saving power to be remembered by the people of God. The memorial was called the Passover. They remembered that God saved them from the angel of death by the blood of a lamb on their doorpost.
Jesus gave the Passover a new meaning. He became the High Priest of the New Covenant. He offered himself as the perfect sacrifice to the Father. Jesus is the Lamb of God. He said to His apostles:
Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a piece of bread
gave thanks to God, broke it, and said, ‘This is my body,
which is for you. Do this in memory of me.” In the same
way, after the supper he took the cup and said, “This cup is
God’s new covenant, sealed with my blood. Whenever you
drink do this in memory of me.” 1 Cor. 11:24-25
What does it mean for us? This is a divine love, a union or communion with Christ. This an intimate encounter with the God. The same Christ that offered Himself on the Cross, offers Himself to us in an unbloody manner.
It is not symbolic or a far away memory, but present wholly and entirely present. We have not missed being at Calvary or the resurrection. We are there!
Jesus is the perfect priest offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice. Men are ordained to the priesthood through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. A priest serves the people in the person of Jesus Christ. The Sacrament does not keep the priest from human weaknesses or sin, but the Holy Spirit guarantees that the sin of the priest does not impede the effectiveness of the Sacraments and its effects. Through apostolic succession this power and authority continues today.
Pray for vocations to the priesthood.
If you should feel called to a vocation to the priesthood, call our offices to speak with a priest (210-497-6101)
-