MIDWEEK PRAYER

Today begins the Jewish holiday called Passover.  It begins this evening at sunset and lasts until April 13th.  The holiday remembers the Jews escape from slavery in Egypt - their exodus, if you will.  It derives its name from the historical occasion when the angel of death "passed over" the homes of the Jews in Egypt and killed first-born sons of others.  It was the last of the ten plagues befalling the Egyptians for enslaving the Israelites.  Jews have been celebrating their escape for thousands of years with meals called Seders.  These meals are a 15-step ritual dinner memorializing the event.  It is a great tradition.  

Jesus called his twelve Apostles together for the Seder meal the evening before he was captured, tortured and crucified.  During that meal, He showed them how He wanted to be remembered - it was with simple bread and wine.  He told them that the bread was His body and the wine His blood and that it would be sacrificed for all.  He also sent away the traitor among them and He told him to hurry and do his deed.  Now, Christians have a great tradition and, as Catholic Christians, it is repeated and available every day of the year.  

Today we pray, 

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the gift of your Son.   Amen.