THE LAMB THAT IS SACRIFICED.
REFLECTION ON THE EASTER SEQUENCE.
Victimae paschali laudes
"Christians, to the Paschal Victim
Offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems;
Christ, who only is sinless,
Reconciles sinners to the Father.
Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:
The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Speak, Mary, declaring
What you saw, wayfaring.
“The tomb of Christ, who is living,
The glory of Jesus’ resurrection;
bright angels attesting,
The shroud and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope is arisen;
to Galilee he goes before you.”
Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.
Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!
Amen. Alleluia.
." (The Easter Sequence).
Saturday April 11th in the Octave of Easter.
The Lord Jesus in the Gospel (Mark 16: 9 - 15), rebuked the Apostles for not believing the credible witnesses who informed them of His Resurrection.
Our reflection today however is from the rich Easter Sequence. (It is in the Roman Missal).
"We offer the Paschal Victim [Jesus] our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving through our prayers but especially through immersion in His word and the Eucharist.
At Calvary, we the Sheep are ransomed by the Lamb[Jesus].
What does Ransom mean? It means Redemption. Because of our sins, we owe a debt to God that no man or all men can redeem. Jesus paid the Ransom through His death. This is the meaning of Redemption.
Now we are reconciled to God and therefore qualified for the fruits of Salvation.
At Calvary, we are redeemed but now wait for the Promise of the Father in Pentecost to enjoy the fruits of Salvation. What is Salvation?
"The Lord led his people to freedom and they shouted with joy and gladness. Alleluia!"
This is Salvation.
Salvation is freedom from slavery to sin, fear, worry, doubt.
Redemption plus Salvation equals Spirit-filled Christian. This is the Good News we must share.
Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and our Savior.
As we march towards the Promise of the Father in Pentecost, let us sing:
"Alleluia, alleluia!
This day was made by the Lord:
we rejoice and are glad.Alleluia! Alleluia!
THE EUCHARIST IS THE CHURCH. THE CHURCH IS THE EUCHARIST.
The Church learns more and honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL.
Here are a couple of Quotes by Saints on the Holy Eucharist.
“For not as common bread nor common drink do we receive these; but since Jesus Christ our Savior was made incarnate... the food which has been made into the Eucharist... is the flesh and the blood of that incarnated Jesus Christ.” — St. Justin Martyr.
- “For just as the bread and the wine of the Eucharist... become the Body of Christ and the wine the Blood of Christ.” — St. Cyril of Jerusalem.
For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:
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