Hamotzi and Kiddush.
Fr. Francis Di Spigno, OFM,
Pastor
Last week, about 25 of us joined Tom and Joan Troyano in their annual celebration of the Seder meal. It was a Christian Seder, but the celebration, prayers, and ritual were based on the prayers our Jewish brothers and sisters use during the Passover meal.
The Passover Seder is held after nightfall on the first night of Passover (April 12) (and the second night if you live outside of Israel). It commemorates the Jewish exodus out of slavery and bondage in Egypt that took place more than 3,000 years ago.
Before the Passover meal, the ritual includes a blessing for lighting the candles, a blessing for the children, Shalom Aleichem (welcoming the Sabbath angels), Eshet Hayil (Woman of Valor), Kiddush (blessing of the wine), Netilat Yadayim (blessing for washing hands), and Hamotzi (blessing of the bread). After the meal, there is also a blessing, Birkat Hamazon.
The festival of the Paschal lamb (Hag HaPesach), the sacrificial rite and the eating of the paschal lamb, is also the foundation of our celebration of Mass. The most obvious connection is the Hamotzi and Kiddush. The Hamotz is the blessing of the bread and the Kiddush, which means holiness, is the prayer over the wine that sanctifies the Sabbath and holidays. We hear these prayers every time we celebrate Mass.
Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, hamotzi lechem min ha’aretz.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has brought forth bread from the earth.
Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei p’ri hagafen.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
With our celebration of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the paschal lamb, we celebrate our release from the captivity of our sins and all that keeps us from knowing, loving, and serving God. Because we have received so great a gift, we are called to go out and proclaim the Good News and share that gift with the world. God is the One who leads us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. Jesus shows us the way.
On behalf of the friars, Sr. Pat, and the entire Pastoral Staff, Happy Easter. May this truly be a time of renewal, promise, and hope for us and all the world!
Jesus Christ is Risen!
He is Risen, indeed!
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