Essay: The Differences and Similarities Between Passover and The Eucharist .

             To explain the differences and similarities between the Hebrew Passover and the Christian Eucharist we must first compare and research. The Eucharist is the blessed sacrament in which our Lord, Jesus Christ is truly present under the bread (his body), and the wine (his blood). It differs from Passover in that the Passover has been a well known tradition for many years to the Jewish Community, while the Sacrament of the Eucharist was taken from the basic elements of the Jewish tradition and modified into a Christian law or theory. Christians see in the Passover meal a prefigurement of Jesus" Last Supper, his sacrifice on the cross, and the eucharist.The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation to our faith. Those who have been raised to the dignity of royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord"s own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist. When we receive the Eucharist through the Sacrament of Communion God cleanses us free of sin, which is like the offerings brought upon the Lord during Passover. The unleavened bread in Passover is like the host that is consecrated to Christians during Communion. The Holy unleavened bread (host) and wine remind us of Jesus" Passover. For the Christian community, the eucharist is a sign of God"s love, faith, and care for his people. In conclusion, the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith: "Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn con firms our way of thinking." .

             Passover is an ancient Hebrew tradition that is celebrated with a Seder, or ritual meal. The meal consists of the Shankbone of a lamb that symbolizes the sacrifice of the lamb: bitter herbs that symbolize the hardships that the Jews suffered in slavery: a bowl of salted water that signifies the tears of the slaves: and a sweet mush of apples nuts and raisins is symbolic of the mortar that the Israelites mixed to carry out the Pharaoh"s labors.