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Office Of Readings | Thursday Of Holy Week | Maundy Thursday | A Reading From The Homily Of Saint Melito Of Sardis On The Pasch
‘The Lamb that was slain has delivered us from death and given us life.’
On Holy Thursday, the Church gathers to remember the Last Supper—the evening when Jesus, in a quiet upper room, gave his friends the gift of the Eucharist, and with it, a new covenant sealed in his blood. The reading from Saint Melito of Sardis, a bishop from the second century, helps us understand the deeper meaning of what took place that night and how it connects to the cross and the resurrection that followed.
Melito begins with a striking statement: ‘There was much proclaimed by the prophets about the mystery of the Passover: that mystery is Christ.’ From the outset, he makes it clear that the entire story of the Exodus—the liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt—is not only a historical event but also a foreshadowing of something greater. The lamb whose blood protected the Israelites on the night of their deliverance points us toward Jesus, the true Passover Lamb, who frees all people from the slavery of sin and death.
Melito’s language is rich with echoes of Scripture. He describes Christ as the one who ‘came down from heaven to earth,’ who ‘clothed himself in humanity’ in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Here we see the heart of the Christian faith: God became human not out of curiosity or obligation, but ‘for the sake of suffering humanity.’ Jesus took on our nature so that he could fully enter into our condition—even our pain and death—and then redeem it from the inside out.
Melito emphasizes that Jesus had a body capable of suffering, and he used that body to confront the consequences of the Fall: not only physical illness but the deeper wound of spiritual death. Christ’s death, however, was unlike any other. He ‘dealt man’s destroyer, death, a fatal blow’—not by avoiding suffering, but by enduring it and transforming it. In the words of the early Church, Jesus trampled down death by death.
What follows is a beautiful reflection on the parallels between Christ and the story of the Exodus. Just as the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh, we are saved from the grip of sin. Just as the blood of the lamb marked their doors, the blood of Christ marks the hearts of believers. Just as Israel passed from slavery into freedom, we pass from death into life. Christ is not just like the Passover lamb—he is the Passover, the one true Lamb whose sacrifice brings salvation to the world.
Melito deepens this theme by drawing on the lives of Old Testament figures. He sees Christ prefigured in Abel, who was slain; in Isaac, who was bound; in Joseph, who was sold; in Moses, who was left to die. Each of these moments becomes a lens through which we can see Jesus more clearly—not only as the fulfillment of prophecy but as the center of history. In their suffering, we see a reflection of his. And in his suffering, we find redemption.
Toward the end of the reading, Melito presents us with the stark reality of Christ’s Passion: he was ‘dragged off to be slaughtered, sacrificed in the evening, and buried at night.’ This language intentionally recalls the Passover rituals, where the lamb was sacrificed at twilight and consumed that same night. The detail that ‘no bone of his was broken’ echoes Exodus 12:46 and John 19:36, underscoring Jesus’ identity as the true Paschal Lamb.
Yet this death is not the end. Melito concludes with a note of triumph: ‘He is the one who rose from the dead, and who raised man from the depths of the tomb.’ The one who was silent like a lamb before his shearers now speaks with power. The one who was buried has risen. The one who suffered has brought life.
This is the message of Holy Thursday. The cross looms on the horizon, but already we see its meaning taking shape. The Eucharist, which Jesus instituted at the Last Supper, is not just a ritual meal—it is the living memorial of his sacrifice, the ongoing participation in his death and resurrection. Each time we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, we are brought into the heart of this mystery.
Saint Melito’s words remind us that what happened in Jerusalem nearly two thousand years ago is not simply a past event. It is a reality we are invited to enter into here and now. The Lamb who was slain still gives life. The blood that was poured out still sets us free. And the One who rose from the dead still calls us to share in his victory.
Let us approach Holy Thursday, then, not as observers of a sacred story but as participants in it. Let us receive the Lamb with gratitude, and let us allow his sacrifice to shape our lives, so that we too may pass over—from sin to grace, from death to life, from fear to freedom.
A Reading From The Book Of Saint Basil On The Holy Spirit
There was much proclaimed by the prophets about the mystery of the Passover: that mystery is Christ, and to him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
For the sake of suffering humanity he came down from heaven to earth, clothed himself in that humanity in the Virgin’s womb, and was born a man. Having then a body capable of suffering, he took the pain of fallen man upon himself; he triumphed over the diseases of soul and body that were its cause, and by his Spirit, which was incapable of dying, he dealt man’s destroyer, death, a fatal blow.
He was led forth like a lamb; he was slaughtered like a sheep. He ransomed us from our servitude to the world, as he had ransomed Israel from the hand of Egypt; he freed us from our slavery to the devil, as he had freed Israel from the hand of Pharaoh. He sealed our souls with his own Spirit, and the members of our body with his own blood.
He is the One who covered death with shame and cast the devil into mourning, as Moses cast Pharaoh into mourning. He is the One who smote sin and robbed iniquity of offspring, as Moses robbed the Egyptians of their offspring. He is the One who brought us out of slavery into freedom, out of darkness into light, out of death into life, out of tyranny into an eternal kingdom; who made us a new priesthood, a people chosen to be his own for ever. He is the Passover that is our salvation.
It is he who endured every kind of suffering in all those who foreshadowed him. In Abel he was slain, in Isaac bound, in Jacob exiled, in Joseph sold, in Moses exposed to die. He was sacrificed in the Passover lamb, persecuted in David, dishonoured in the prophets.
It is he who was made man of the Virgin, he who was hung on the tree; it is he who was buried in the earth, raised from the dead, and taken up to the heights of heaven. He is the mute lamb, the slain lamb, the lamb born of Mary, the fair ewe. He was seized from the flock, dragged off to be slaughtered, sacrificed in the evening, and buried at night. On the tree no bone of his was broken; in the earth his body knew no decay. He is the One who rose from the dead, and who raised man from the depths of the tomb.
We have heard Christ’s teachings, the clearest declarations of his divinity as God the Son, and his parables; we have witnessed his signs and miracles; and we have suffered and rejoiced through his death and resurrection. We know too that it is through the gift of the Holy Spirit that we are called to believe, and enabled to do so [ … ]
This powerful reading from Saint Fulgentius offers a rich meditation on the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice, drawing us deeply into the mystery at the heart of the Christian faith. It’s a fitting reflection for the final days of Lent, as we prepare to enter into Holy Week and contemplate Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection [ … ]
John 4:13-14 (KJV) ‘Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’ Introduction to the Life of Saint Bernadette Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a humble peasant girl from Lourdes, France, lived her life of faith, humility, and divine grace. Born on January 7, 1844, in the small town of Lourdes, Bernadette was the eldest of nine children in a poor and struggling family. Her father, François Soubirous, was a miller, and her mother, Louise, a laundress. The family lived in a former prison cell known as the Cachot, a damp and cramped space, according to their dire financial situation. Despite their poverty, the Soubirous family was deeply rooted in their Christian faith, a foundation that would profoundly shape Bernadette’s life and spiritual journey. Bernadette’s early years were marked by significant health challenges. She suffered from asthma and other respiratory ailments, which often left her weak and unable to attend school regularly. This lack of formal education meant that Bernadette struggled with reading and writing, and her understanding of Christian doctrine was limited. Nevertheless, she possessed a remarkable simplicity and purity of heart, qualities that would make her an ideal recipient of divine revelations. Bernadette’s life changed irrevocably on February 11, 1858, when she experienced the first of eighteen apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the grotto of Massabielle. On that cold winter day, Bernadette, her sister Toinette, and a friend were gathering firewood near the grotto when she heard a rustling sound and saw a beautiful lady dressed in white with a blue sash, holding a rosary. The lady, who later identified herself as the Immaculate Conception, appeared to Bernadette over the course of several months, delivering messages of penance, prayer, and the need for a chapel to be built at the site. Despite initial skepticism from her family and the local authorities, Bernadette remained steadfast in her account of the apparitions, enduring intense scrutiny and even ridicule. The apparitions drew enormous attention. Soon, people from all over France and beyond began to visit Lourdes, hoping to witness a miracle. One of the most significant messages conveyed by the Virgin Mary to Bernadette was the instruction to dig in the ground near the grotto, which led to the discovery of a spring. This spring, believed to have healing properties, became the focal point of the pilgrimage to Lourdes. Many miraculous healings have been attributed to the waters of Lourdes, reinforcing the belief in Bernadette’s visions and the sanctity of the site. As the apparitions concluded, Bernadette’s life took a different turn. In 1866, she joined the Sisters of Charity in Nevers, taking the name Sister Marie-Bernard. Her time in the convent was marked by continued poor health and humility, as she carried out menial tasks and lived a life of quiet service. Despite her physical suffering, Bernadette remained devout and accepted her hardships with grace, often repeating the phrase, “I am happier here in my little corner of the convent.” Her unwavering faith and dedication to her religious duties exemplified the depth of her spiritual commitment. Bernadette Soubirous passed away on April 16, 1879, at the age of 35, after a prolonged battle with tuberculosis. Her legacy, however, endured far beyond her earthly life. In 1933, she was canonized as a saint by Pope Pius XI, recognized for her humility, faith, and the miraculous events associated with her life. Today, millions of pilgrims flock to Lourdes each year, seeking spiritual renewal and physical healing at the site of her visions. Saint Bernadette’s life continues to inspire countless individuals around the world, reminding us of the power of faith, the virtue of humility, and the enduring presence of divine grace in our lives. To Visit Lourdes Visiting Lourdes, in the picturesque foothills of the Pyrenees in southwestern France, is an experience that transcends the physical journey, drawing pilgrims into a profound spiritual adventure. The small town, known for the Marian apparitions witnessed by Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, has become one of the world’s most revered pilgrimage sites. As we approach the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the atmosphere is imbued with a palpable sense of reverence and anticipation. The grand basilicas, the tranquil Grotto of Massabielle and the gently flowing waters of the miraculous spring together create a sacred environment that invites reflection, prayer, and a deep connection with the divine. The focal point of any visit to Lourdes is the Grotto, where Bernadette experienced the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here, pilgrims can touch the rock face, light candles, and drink or bathe in the spring’s water, believed to possess healing properties. The profound silence and sense of sacredness at the Grotto allow visitors to contemplate their faith, seek solace and find spiritual renewal. The Rosary Basilica, with its mosaics, and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, perched above the Grotto, offer spaces for communal worship and personal meditation. The nightly candlelight processions, where pilgrims from around the globe unite in prayer and song, highlight the universal bond of faith and hope that Lourdes represents. Beyond its physical beauty and historical significance, visiting Lourdes offers a deeply personal and transformative experience. Pilgrims often arrive burdened with ailments, grief, or spiritual crises, seeking comfort and miracles. The stories of healing and faith that emerge from Lourdes are testimonies to the enduring power of belief and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The communal aspect of the pilgrimage—sharing meals, prayers, and stories with fellow believers—fosters a sense of solidarity and mutual support. For many, the visit to Lourdes is a journey of healing, not only of the body but also of the soul, providing a renewed sense of purpose, peace, and spiritual clarity that lingers long after returning home. Prayer With Saint Bernadette Prayer for Intercession Dear […]
