Friday of the
Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Exodus 11:10-12:14; Matthew 12:1-8)
The name April
comes from the Latin aprilis which
itself is derived from the word meaning to
open.
Although the etymology of April follows
a different path, it might be considered as the opening month of the year as
indicated in today’s first reading. The
Passover feast is usually celebrated during the month of April as, of course,
are Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Viewing the climatic events of the gospel through the
lens of today’s passage from the book of Exodus deepens one’s appreciation of
Christ’s mission. Like the wool of an
unblemished lamb, his life is not tainted by sin. Moreover, its purity is infinitely richer
because he always performs works of love.
As the blood of the lamb spread on the lintel of every house saved the
people from the judgment of God on Egypt, the blood of Jesus sheds on the cross
saves his followers from the judgment their sins merit. And as the roasted flesh of the lamb provides
the Israelites with food for the journey to freedom, so Christ’s flesh gives
Christians the freedom to live imitating his goodness.
At time in the history of the Church some have considered
the Old Testament as extraneous and dispensable. Fortunately, wiser minds have always
prevailed. As we see today, the Old
Testament gives needed perspective to understand the depth of Jesus’ victory on
our behalf. Indeed, the Old Testament
enables us to understand who he is.
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