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Friday, July 18, 2003

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St. Camillus de Lellis


Exodus 11:10—12:14
Psalm 116
Matthew 12:1-8

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"Although Moses and Aaron performed these various wonders in Pharaoh's presence, the Lord made Pharaoh obstinate, and he would not let the Israelites leave his land." —Exodus 11:10

After hundreds of years of slavery and nine plagues, the Israelites were immediately freed from slavery by the last plague culminating in the Passover. The Passover was the grandest finale of God's most awesome works.

The Mass is the new Passover (see Lk 22:15). At the end of Jesus' astounding public ministry, just before He was arrested and crucified, Jesus had the Last Supper, the first Mass. Jesus had the second Mass at the end of the day of His resurrection (Lk 24:29ff). The Mass, as the new Passover, is the grandest finale of God's greatest works.

Some of us have traveled long journeys. We're so close to being healed or freed. To cross the finish line, to finally break through, we need the Mass. Ten plagues cannot get us out of slavery, but ten plagues plus the Passover changes the world. Several miracles and graces may not necessarily get us "over the top," but miracles plus the Mass effect more than we could ever ask for or imagine (see Eph 3:20).

Don't fall short of God's greatest plans for you. Go to Mass. Live the Mass. Center your life on the Mass.

Prayer:  Father, send the Holy Spirit to teach me about the place and power of the Mass.

Promise:  "This day shall be a memorial feast for you, which all your generations shall celebrate with pilgrimage to the Lord, as a perpetual institution." —Ex 12:14

Praise:  St. Camillus was addicted to gambling until Jesus set him free of his addiction and led him to conversion and faith at the age of twenty-five.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape Every Mass Should be Spirit-Filled on audio AV 49-1 or video V-49.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 29, 2002


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 31, 2002