Father Mike Schmitz

We make this prayer in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Wow. Okay. Gosh, there's so much to say about the book of Exodus chapter 12. So I'm going to have to limit myself because it is just ridiculous. Such a gift. What an incredible gift. Now, at the same time, it's a hard chapter to read, right?

We make this prayer in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Wow. Okay. Gosh, there's so much to say about the book of Exodus chapter 12. So I'm going to have to limit myself because it is just ridiculous. Such a gift. What an incredible gift. Now, at the same time, it's a hard chapter to read, right?

Because here is the death of the firstborn in the entire land of Egypt. From, as it says, from Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive in the dungeon. So this can be problematic for us, but remember, we read the whole scripture as a whole. And so one of the things that we remember is that this is in some ways, in so many ways, is justice. What do I mean?

Because here is the death of the firstborn in the entire land of Egypt. From, as it says, from Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive in the dungeon. So this can be problematic for us, but remember, we read the whole scripture as a whole. And so one of the things that we remember is that this is in some ways, in so many ways, is justice. What do I mean?

Well, remember at the very beginning of the book of Exodus, what did Pharaoh do to all of those who were born of the people of Israel? He would kill every one of the males, not just the males that opened the womb, not just the firstborn of the males, but all of the males. And the Lord God had warned Pharaoh through Moses and Aaron that this is what's going to happen unless you let my people go.

Well, remember at the very beginning of the book of Exodus, what did Pharaoh do to all of those who were born of the people of Israel? He would kill every one of the males, not just the males that opened the womb, not just the firstborn of the males, but all of the males. And the Lord God had warned Pharaoh through Moses and Aaron that this is what's going to happen unless you let my people go.

So it wasn't as if this is completely unjust. In fact, it's not unjust at all. God is never unjust. God is completely 100% just. God is justice himself. And so what we know is that the people of Egypt, the Pharaoh had 100% opportunity to repent because God is completely just. And so in mysterious way, this is, as I said, it's 100% just. So let's move on just because I can say it.

So it wasn't as if this is completely unjust. In fact, it's not unjust at all. God is never unjust. God is completely 100% just. God is justice himself. And so what we know is that the people of Egypt, the Pharaoh had 100% opportunity to repent because God is completely just. And so in mysterious way, this is, as I said, it's 100% just. So let's move on just because I can say it.

And if someone is going to be skeptical about that, then they remain skeptical. Or if I can say it, you know, like, okay, yep, I'm reassured. I remember that God has proven this to us many, many times. And he proves this to us after this section of the scripture as well.

And if someone is going to be skeptical about that, then they remain skeptical. Or if I can say it, you know, like, okay, yep, I'm reassured. I remember that God has proven this to us many, many times. And he proves this to us after this section of the scripture as well.

Remember he proved when it came to Abraham and Sodom and Gomorrah, where God demonstrated, yep, if there's even one, essentially one righteous person, I will not destroy the city. So similarly, here's the participation of all the people of Egypt in the slavery and oppression and death, the murder of the children of those who are Israelites. Okay.

Remember he proved when it came to Abraham and Sodom and Gomorrah, where God demonstrated, yep, if there's even one, essentially one righteous person, I will not destroy the city. So similarly, here's the participation of all the people of Egypt in the slavery and oppression and death, the murder of the children of those who are Israelites. Okay.

So moving on, my goodness, let's just look at two more things. One is, um, we recognize that the lamb is a, what they call a type, and it is a type of Jesus himself. In fact, not only does St. Paul say that Jesus is our Passover lamb, but also St. John the Baptist says of Jesus, behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Not only that, but also John the evangelist, right?

So moving on, my goodness, let's just look at two more things. One is, um, we recognize that the lamb is a, what they call a type, and it is a type of Jesus himself. In fact, not only does St. Paul say that Jesus is our Passover lamb, but also St. John the Baptist says of Jesus, behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Not only that, but also John the evangelist, right?

In the gospel of John, He makes a point of saying that Jesus was crucified at the same moment when in the temple they were slaughtering the Passover lambs. There is this massive connection between the lambs of Passover and Jesus himself, who is the true lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. So what is happening?

In the gospel of John, He makes a point of saying that Jesus was crucified at the same moment when in the temple they were slaughtering the Passover lambs. There is this massive connection between the lambs of Passover and Jesus himself, who is the true lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. So what is happening?

you have the lamb and the lamb is brought into the home and the lamb is brought into the home for a week. So essentially that comes in on Sunday and ultimately as the Passover ritual becomes more formalized, it is celebrated then on Friday, right? So here is the lamb that comes in on Sunday. That's Palm Sunday is fast forward. Um, But the lamb dwells in the home of the people of Israel.

you have the lamb and the lamb is brought into the home and the lamb is brought into the home for a week. So essentially that comes in on Sunday and ultimately as the Passover ritual becomes more formalized, it is celebrated then on Friday, right? So here is the lamb that comes in on Sunday. That's Palm Sunday is fast forward. Um, But the lamb dwells in the home of the people of Israel.

Why is this? There could be two reasons. One is because not all the people of Israel at this point would have been circumcised. And so this was an opportunity for the men of the people of Israel to be brought into the covenant via circumcision. And they had to recover, essentially. So they were probably circumcised at the beginning of this week.

Why is this? There could be two reasons. One is because not all the people of Israel at this point would have been circumcised. And so this was an opportunity for the men of the people of Israel to be brought into the covenant via circumcision. And they had to recover, essentially. So they were probably circumcised at the beginning of this week.