SUNDAY SERVICE

It is the third Sunday of the Easter season.  From the Gospel we hear of the third time Jesus appeared to his Apostles after his death.  His message to them was to feed and tend his lambs and sheep.

These animals are the common bible metaphor Jesus used for his people.  It was also the metaphor used for Jesus himself in relation to God, his father.  Jesus called himself the Lamb of God.

The lamb was the most common sacrificial animal of the time.  It was common to sacrifice (kill) a lamb on an alter in reparation for sins or when asking for a favor from God.  This is known as a blood sacrifice.

Our church service, the mass, is a non-bloody sacrifice.  During it, we study bible readings; offer to Jesus bread and wine and other goods as our sacrifice;  use the Last Supper as a blueprint for the new sacrifice of Jesus to God;  and participate as Jesus taught with the taking of the bread and wine.

Sheep must follow their shepherd.
*o*