Posted on 02/24/2011 1:14:41 PM PST by Natural Law
The significance and symbolism found in the Jewish celebration of Passover is a very good opportunity for all Christians to reconnect with the Jewish Roots of Christianity and to better understand the significance of the Last Supper and the beginning of the Passion.
The Jewish tradition is that on the eve of the first day of Passover, Jewish families gather in their homes to celebrate a meal and prayer service called the Passover Seder. It is an excellent opportunity to teach children and remind ourselves about the bitter remembrance of bondage and the Exodus, the significance of the Blood of the Lamb, the symbolism of the bread and wine which become the Body and Blood, and Jesus’ request to “Let this cup pass from my lips”.
This year, Passover begins on Tuesday, April 19th. I highly recommend that all Christians take the opportunity to bring part of the Seder Tradition into their Holy Week celebrations.
Ecumenic threads are closed to antagonism.
To antagonize is to incur or to provoke hostility in others.
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My mom has been harping on this for some time & last year she came very close to convincing the priest to hold a parish seder meal for Passover. I agree with your point.
Good post.
Seems Christians celebrating Passover is becoming more common these days. I quite enjoy a good traditional Seder. ...except for the gefilte fish part.
The question “why do Jews continue to be Jews” is a critical one for Jews and Christians alike, and answers can be found in the history of the Passover, the First Commandment, and Moses’ adventures at Sinai.
Christians certainly share this history, but adhere to the New and Eternal Covenant as defined in the New Testament, which, they believe, critically revises God’s older covenant.
In any case, for Christians, the material observance of the Jewish Passover can be an enlightening and spiritually fulfilling glimpse at the ways of a people (including Rabbi Jesus of Nazareth) who worship the singular God of Abraham, Isaac, Jesus, et al.
Be Steadfast in the LORD, read the HAGADDAH at your worshipful feast, and eat that matzoh, my Christian brothers!
From what I hear that is also a Jewish tradition.....but seriously folks,
We hold the meal at our house with just the family (Mother-in-Law, kids, grand kids). We want it to be a family experience, a time to bond and reflect without the solemnity and guardedness that comes with Parish functions. It also lets the yopung ones share in the dialog without feeling intimidated by near strangers or adults.
We held a Seder meal at our parish last year for our year 2 Confirmation teens along with their parents and sponsers. It was very well recieved by all.
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