Reflection on the Word in our Worship
25 He rained down manna upon them to eat *
and gave them food from heaven.
26 So mortals ate the bread of angels; *
for he sent them food enough.
-Psalm 78:25-26 (2019 BCP)
You do not go through one thing to something else; you do not come through something else to Christ. You come through Christ to Christ. How through Christ to Christ? Through Christ the man to Christ the God, through the Word made flesh to the Word which in the beginning was God with God, from that which people ate to that which every day the angels eat. For so it was written, “He gave them the bread of heaven; people ate the bread of the angels.” Who is the bread of angels? “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” How did people eat the bread of angels? “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” -St. Augustine
The Collect of the Week
Almighty Father, whose most dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it in thankful remembrance of Jesus Christ our Savior, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Word:
(Click on the links below to read Sunday's passages)
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 12:1-14
Psalm 78:15-26 (below playlist)
New Testament Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Gospel Reading: John 13:1–15
Psalm 78:15-26
15 In the daytime he led them with a cloud, *
and all the night through with a light of fire.
16 He split the hard rocks in the wilderness *
and gave them drink in abundance,
as out of the great deep.
17 He brought waters out of the stony rock, *
so that it gushed out like the rivers.
18 Yet for all this they sinned more against him, *
and provoked the Most High in the wilderness.
19 They tested God in their hearts *
and demanded food for their craving.
20 They spoke against God, saying, *
“Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
21 Indeed, he smote the stony rock, so that water gushed out,
and the streams overflowed; *
but can he give bread also,
or provide meat for his people?”
22 When the Lord heard this, he was full of wrath; *
so a fire was kindled against Jacob,
and there flared up fierce anger against Israel,
23 Because they did not believe in God, *
and did not put their trust in his help.
24 So he commanded the clouds above *
and opened the doors of heaven.
25 He rained down manna upon them to eat *
and gave them food from heaven.
26 So mortals ate the bread of angels; *
for he sent them food enough.