Daily Readings - Thu Apr 18 2019

¹The Lord also said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt²"This month will be for you the beginning of the months. It will be first in the months of the year³Speak to the entire assembly of the sons of Israel, and say to them: On the tenth day of this month, let everyone take a lamb, by their families and houses⁴But if the number is less than may suffice to be able to consume the lamb, he shall accept his neighbor, who has been joined with his house according to the number of souls that may suffice to be able to eat the lamb⁵And it shall be a lamb without blemish, a one year old male. According to this rite, you shall also take a young goat⁶And you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month. And the entire multitude of the sons of Israel shall immolate it toward evening⁷And they shall take from its blood, and place it on both the door posts and the upper threshold of the houses, in which they will consume it⁸And that night they shall eat the flesh, roasted by fire, and unleavened bread with wild lettuce¹¹Now you shall consume it in this way: You shall gird your waist, and you shall have shoes on your feet, holding staves in your hands, and you shall consume it in haste. For it is the Passover (that is, the Crossing) of the Lord¹²And I will cross through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from man, even to cattle. And I will bring judgments against all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord¹³But the blood will be for you as a sign in the buildings where you will be. And I will see the blood, and I will pass over you. And the plague will not be with you to destroy, when I strike the land of Egypt¹⁴Then you shall have this day as a memorial, and you shall celebrate it as a solemnity to the Lord, in your generations, as an everlasting devotion

1 Corinthians

Chapter 11

²³For I have received from the Lord what I have also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the same night that he was handed over, took bread²⁴and giving thanks, he broke it, and said: "Take and eat. This is my body, which shall be given up for you. Do this in remembrance of me.²⁵Similarly also, the cup, after he had eaten supper, saying: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.²⁶For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord, until he returns

John

Chapter 13

¹Before the feast day of the Passover, Jesus knew that the hour was approaching when he would pass from this world to the Father. And since he had always loved his own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end²And when the meal had taken place, when the devil had now put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray him³knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he came from God and was going to God⁴he rose up from the meal, and he set aside his vestments, and when he had received a towel, he wrapped it around himself⁵Next he put water into a shallow bowl, and he began to wash the feet of the disciples and to wipe them with the towel with which he was wrapped⁶And then he came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to him, "Lord, would you wash my feet?⁷Jesus responded and said to him: "What I am doing, you do not now understand. But you shall understand it afterward.⁸Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you will have no place with me.⁹Simon Peter said to him, "Then Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!¹⁰Jesus said to him: "He who is washed need only wash his feet, and then he will be entirely clean. And you are clean, but not all.¹¹For he knew which one would betray him. For this reason, he said, "You are not all clean.¹²And so, after he washed their feet and received his vestments, when he had sat down at table again, he said to them: "Do you know what I have done for you¹³You call me Teacher and Lord, and you speak well: for so I am¹⁴Therefore, if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash the feet of one another¹⁵For I have given you an example, so that just as I have done for you, so also should you do

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound themes of sacrifice, service, and the enduring presence of God in our lives. The Exodus passage recounts the institution of the Passover, a pivotal moment where the Israelites marked their homes with the blood of a lamb, sparing their firstborn from death. This act of obedience and faith was a precursor to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood would save humanity from sin. The context of this passage is one of liberation, as God prepares His people for their exodus from Egypt, establishing a ritual that would be remembered for generations. In 1 Corinthians, Paul reminds us of the Eucharist, instituted by Jesus on the night of His betrayal. Jesus took bread and wine, declaring them to be His body and blood, given for us. This sacrament is not just a ritual but a profound expression of Christ's love and sacrifice. The context here is one of correction and reminder, as Paul addresses the Corinthian church's misuse of the Lord's Supper, emphasizing its deep connection to the death of Christ and the unity it brings to believers. John's Gospel shifts our focus to Jesus' act of washing His disciples' feet, an extraordinary display of humility and service. This act, occurring during the Last Supper, underscores Jesus' role as a servant-leader. The context is one of impending betrayal and departure, yet Jesus' focus remains on teaching His disciples the value of humility and love. He commands them to serve one another, setting an example that transcends hierarchical structures. These readings are intricately connected, each highlighting different facets of God's love and our response. The Exodus story foreshadows the Eucharist, which in turn is lived out through acts of humble service. As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are called to embrace humility, serve others selflessly, and gratefully receive the sacrifice of Christ. Just as the Israelites were saved by the blood of the lamb, we are saved by Christ's blood, and just as Jesus washed feet, we are to wash one another's feet in spirit and deed. The moral lesson is clear: our faith is not merely about rituals or doctrines but about living out the love and humility of Christ. We are to remember His sacrifice in the Eucharist and embody His service in our interactions. Let us strive to be people of gratitude, service, and love, reflecting the heart of Christ in all we do.