Saturday, March 22, 2008

The Paschal Sabbath

On this day the Lord rested from His mighty work of taking the sin of the world. From the cross He cried “It is finished” and He gave up His spirit, commending it to the Father.

Why the wait?

Because the disciples needed to be taught to know the one on whom they depend. The Lord’s Sabbath was declared to last forever. The Church needs to spend this time remembering that the Lord is the one who calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies His Church on earth. The Church needs to remember that her life is bound to the sacrifice of the body and blood of the Lord.

Thus, we take time to remember the great feast of salvation that we eat again on the Lord’s Day. He feeds us the body of His Holy Communion and the blood of His forgiveness and salvation. We do nothing to prepare for this meal except to remember the one who has given it. We remember that He is the one who has established the Church as the Holy gathering into His name. We remember that He is the one who gives us His body and blood for our life in His body. We remember that we are the recipients and He is the provider.

Then our life in Christ is not a burden but a Sabbath in and unto the Lord.

Tomorrow is the Festival of the Resurrection of our Lord. Tomorrow in the great Feast He shows Himself to us and we receive Him in the means by which He has promised to be with us to bless us and keep us. All is done. The work is complete. Now we rest in His grace and enjoy the fruits of His mighty labor.

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