Friday, the Sixth Week of Lent

Good Friday

   Each year at Passover the chosen people of God, the Jewish, remember their freedom from slavery to the Egyptians.  They celebrate the fact that God had seen their suffering and sent Moses to free them.  It is good that they continue to thank God for their freedom from slavery.

   Each year at Easter Christians remember their freedom from the slavery of sin and death.  We celebrate the fact that God sent His only Son to pay the price for our sins and gave us the opportunity for salvation.  It is good that we continue to thank God for our freedom from slavery.

   The Jews in Egypt selected an unblemished lamb and sacrificed it as directed by God through Moses.  They took the blood of the lamb and sprinkled it on the doorposts and lintels of their homes.  When the angel of death swept through Egypt the homes marked by the blood would be passed over.

   Christians recognize Jesus as the unblemished lamb sent from God for our salvation.  He sprinkled blood and water from the cross when His heart was pierced by the centurion’s spear.  The blood and water from His side established the Church on earth.  The water is the water of Baptism which removes the stain of original sin.  The blood is the blood of sacrifice given for our salvation.  Through these two our original and personal sins are forgiven and we are blessed with the opportunity for eternal life with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

   If we do nothing else during Lent, we must recognize again the great love and mercy shown us through His suffering, death and resurrection.  We must go to Him in sorrow for our failings and thanksgiving for His incredible gift of salvation.