Passover

In the first month of the second year after their departure form the land of Egypt, the Lord told Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai: "The Israelites are to observe the Passover at the appointed time. You must observe it at the appointed time on the fourteenth day of this month at twilight; you are to observe it according to all its statutes and ordinances. Numbers 9:1-3

 

Remembering is good. The Passover remembered how God delivered His people from the hand of Pharoah. In Christendom we remember our deliverer, Christ, at Easter.

 

The Jewish Passover begins on 14th April this year. It involves eating yeast free bread for 7 days before. In The Jewish Faith the first born is to fast the day before, to remember how God redeemed the firstborn of the Israelites and killed all those in houses not marked with he blood of the lamb.

 

The Catholic Church observes Lent which involves fasting, of some sort, for 40 days before Easter, starting on Ash Wednesday (5th March) through to Easter Saturday (17th April).

 

The Christian Passover begins at Easter. Our sacrificial lamb, Jesus, gave His blood for our salvation.

 

The Catholics do well to prepare for Easter and have rituals that keep the faithful mindful of the coming event. I grew up as a Catholic and my family observed some of these rituals. I remember the Lenten period and also the 'stations of the cross,' where we would go around the church and visit 14 images of the journey Jesus took to Calvary and pray.

 

What can we do to prepare our hearts and give Him honour and room? It is good to slow down and meditate on the word of God. Perhaps study the gospels account, watch the movie: 'The Passion of The Christ,' take more time to pray and slow down. We rush too much and are too consumed with life. Take time to remember and be thankful. Amen!