We Are A People

In the last couple of days we have heard how God called Moses to lead his people out of Israel.  Yesterday’s first reading concluded the call of Moses at the burning bush.  Today’s first reading jumps ahead a few chapters.   

The chapters that are passed over tell the story of the first nine plagues and the pharaoh’s continuing refusal to let the Israelites go out into the desert to offer sacrifice to their God (our God). 

Today’s first reading picks up at the point where God is preparing to perform the tenth and final plague, the taking of the first-born children of the Egyptians.  When this plague is over, the pharaoh will let the Israelites go. 

This is a pivotal moment in the history of the Israelites.  It is a moment to be celebrated by the Israelites not just when it happens but for generations to come.  With this in mind, God tells them, “This month shall stand at the head of your calendar” and that it is to be a “memorial feast” and a “perpetual institution” for them.  

I think this is something lost on many people today.  Radical Individualism has replaced the solidarity we are called to as God’s people.  People now see themselves as (somewhat) isolated individuals free to define their own meaning.  For them, the stories in the Bible like the first Passover are not their stories.  They see the stories in the Bible as stories of the long ago past, if they even believe them to be true.   

This is not what God calls us to when He placed the Passover at the head of the Jewish calendar as a memorial feast and perpetual institution.  In the Passover He calls us as his people to be one.  This is not just for the people at the time of the first Passover.  This is why He tells us, “This is how you are to eat it: with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand, you shall eat like those who are in flight.”   

His call for us to be a people, united in faith, transcends time.  For Jews, to celebrate Passover is to celebrate what it means to be part of God’s people. 

As God’s people, we are blessed.  For this blessing we are called to give God our best.  The Jews were called to offer a lamb as a sacrifice during the Passover.  It had to “be a year-old male and without blemish.”  Why?  Because God deserves our best.  Do we give God our best or do we give him the leftovers in our life after we give ourselves what is best? 

The Passover formed a covenant sealed in the blood of the lamb.  We live under a new covenant that is sealed with blood but not the blood of a lamb.  Rather, the new covenant is sealed with the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross.  Jesus did not die for just one of us.  Jesus died for all of us. 

“We are his people, the sheep of his flock” (see Psalm 100:3) 

Peace, 

Fr. Jeff