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What a good article. I attended a Passover Seder for the first time when I was in college. The Pastor of the Parish had the local rabbi come in and do it for those in the Parish who were intersted. We had a large group for that small college Parish. The Rabbi led the prayers and told a few anecdotes about Passover Seders in his family, then asked if anyone had questions. One elderly woman looked kind of scandalized and asked if Passover wasn't supposed to be more solemn. He laughed and said "Never!". It was a feast celebrating the liberation of the Chosen People by their God, and it was supposed to be a joyous occasion. It is tinged with sorrow because you remember loved ones who are no longer there to share Passover with you, but you are hopeful that next year your Passover will be celebrated in Jerusalem.

I could immediately see the parallels to the Mass. First, the prayers of the blessing of the wine and unleavened bread at the Passover are almost word for word what is used at Mass. At Mass, during the Eucharistic Prayer, we remember those who are no longer with us, and we pray that when we die, we'll see God in Heaven; the New Jerusalem.

The Jews used the blood of the Lamb, and it's flesh to protect their families from the Angel of Death. We are washed clean of our sins and protected by the Blood of the Lamb, Jesus's sacrifice on the Cross, and by eating his flesh, as He commanded, we too are strengthened in our journey to that New Jerusalem.