Mana Catechism Lesson 1 PDF

## Lesson 1. ### THE OPPRESSION OF THE ISRAELITES IN EGYPT - **Message:** God is close to us in our sufferings. - **Aim:** The sufferings undergone by the Israelites in Egypt. - **Word of God:** Exodus 1:8-17 - **Teaching Aids:** - **Pictures of:** - People under slavery - Suffe...

## Lesson 1. ### THE OPPRESSION OF THE ISRAELITES IN EGYPT - **Message:** God is close to us in our sufferings. - **Aim:** The sufferings undergone by the Israelites in Egypt. - **Word of God:** Exodus 1:8-17 - **Teaching Aids:** - **Pictures of:** - People under slavery - Suffering people in hospital beds - **Real Life Situation:** - Dr. Raj Kumar or late Minister Nagappa, as a hostage in the clutches of forest brigand Veerappan. ## I. A HUMAN EXPERIENCE: ### a) The Sufferings Experienced by the Bovi Tribe: - The village Hangaradalli is situated in Srirangapatna in Mandya District. - Many poor families of the Bovi tribe dwell in this area. - About 30 of these families were working in a stone quarry. - They led a suppressed life. - Their legs were fastened with iron chains. - Children and adults were tortured in this way for many years. - These families had borrowed a large sum of money from a person called Putta Swamy Gowda. - Since these poor families were unable to repay the loan with interest, they were enslaved in this inhuman way. - The leaders of the Farmers League could not tolerate the oppression of these people. - They brought liberation to the oppressed Bovis. ### b) Interpretation of the Human Experience: - Why were the Bovi families oppressed? - What punishment was inflicted on them? - Who liberated them at last? - Is there liberation to sufferers? When? ## II. THE WORD OF GOD: ### a) Proclamation of the Word of God: Ex 1:8-17: - Then, a new king, who knew nothing about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. - He said to his people, "These Israelites are so numerous and strong that they are a threat to us. - In case of war they might join our enemies in order to fight against us, and might escape from the country. - We must find some way to keep from becoming even more numerous." - So the Egyptians put slave-drivers over them to crush their spirits with hard labour. - The Israelites built the cities of Pithom and Rameses to serve as supply centres for the king. - But the more the Egyptians oppressed the Israelites, the more they increased in number and the further they spread through the land. - The Egyptians came to fear the Israelites and made their lives miserable by forcing them into cruel slavery. - They made them work on their building projects and in their fields, and they had no mercy on them. - Then the king of Egypt spoke to Shiphrah and Puah the two midwives who helped the Hebrew women. - "When you help the Hebrew women give birth", he said to them, "kill the baby if it is a boy; but if it is a girl, let it live." - But the midwives feared God and so did not obey the king; instead, they let the boys live. ### b) In the Light of the Word of God: - Even though people of the Bovi tribe suffered for a long time, they got liberation from their sufferings. - Now, as they enjoy their liberation, they certainly remember the oppression they had suffered. - They experienced God in times of captivity and liberation. - The same experience was felt by the people of Israel in Egypt. - We learnt last year how the Israelites reached Egypt. - As the days went by, the Israelites multiplied and grew exceedingly strong. - In fact Pharaoh, the King of Egypt, was afraid of the growing number of the Israelites. - So he paved the way for a planned racial genocide. - He made their lives bitter with hard work in mortar and brick and in every kind of field labour. - They were forced to carry heavy loads. - In order to control the number of Israelites, midwives were ordered to kill the male children at birth. - In spite of all this tension and fear, the number of God's people increased. - The midwives did not heed to Pharaoh because they were afraid of God and saved the lives of the innocents. - So, the number of Israelites increased in spite of their sufferings and oppression and they became powerful. - According to Prophet Isaiah, the Lord said, "Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore? - Even if a moher should forget her child, I will never forget you" (Is 49:15). - We cannot fathom the love of God. - Even though a mother may forget her own child, yet God will not forsake His own people. - In suffering and in loss God showed His boundless love towards the Israelites. - He stayed with them and assisted them. ### c) Inspiration for Christian Life: - In our sufferings and difficulties God is close to us. - Usually when sickness, loss and other problems arise, people try to escape them. - Some have recourse to fortune tellers, witchcraft and astrology. - By doing this, their problems never decrease, instead they increase. - God treats us as His own Children. - So, sufferings are part of our life (Heb 12:7). - In our difficulties and sufferings, we should invoke God. - Jesus has said, "Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Mt 11:28). - Jesus redeemed us through His sufferings and death. - He called on His Heavenly Father in times of sorrow and suffering. - He prayed, "Father, my Father! - All things are possible for you. - Take this cup of suffering away from me. - Yet not what I want, but what you want" (Mk 14:36). - In our sorrows and sufferings, God accompanies us. - So, let us invoke Him in all our difficulties and problems. ## III. ACTIVITIES: ### a) Questions: 1. Why did Pharaoh inflict sufferings on the Israelites? 2. What sufferings did the Israelites endure in Egypt? 3. Why did Pharaoh charge midwives to kill the new born male children? 4. Amidst their sufferings, how did the Israelites grow? 5. What does the Prophet Isaiah say about the love of God? 6. How do some people react to sufferings? 7. What do we learn through our sufferings? 8. What did Jesus do in His pain and sorrows? ### b) Group Discussion: - "God punishes us through our sufferings" - Is it true? Why? ### c) Write a Paragraph of 15 sentences on "There is meaning in enduring our sufferings". ### d) Read the following passages and prepare a list of sufferings that Jesus endured. - Mt 13:53-58; 26:1-75; 27:1-50 ### e) Hymn (Praise the Lord, No. 143): - I will never forget you my People - I have carved you on the palm of my hand - I will never forget you, - I will not leave you orphaned, - I will never forget my own. - Does a mother forget her baby? - Or a woman the child within her womb? - Yet even if these forget, - Yes, even if these forget - I will never forget my own. ## Lesson 2. ### THE CALL OF MOSES - **Message:** God chooses those whom He wants for His Mission. - **Aim:** God chooses Moses to liberate the Israelites. - **The Word of God:** Exodus 3:1-5, 7-10 - **Teaching Aids:** - **Real Life Situation:** - The struggle of Indians for freedom from the British. - The liberation of the people of Afghanistan from the clutches of the Taliban. - **Pictures of:** - Moses at the burning bush - Freedom fighters like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Sr. Rani Maria, Martin Luther King ## I. A HUMAN EXPERIENCE: ### a) The Call of St Teresa of Kolkata: - St Teresa of Kolkata (1910-1997) worked for seventeen years as a teacher in St Mary's School, Kolkata. - During this time, seeing the sufferings of the poor, the downtrodden, the sick, and the refugees, she was moved with compassion. - She wanted to do something for them. - She was travelling by train to Darjeeling on September 10, 1946 for her annual retreat. - When she saw the beautiful landscape, as she travelled, she remembered the scenes of suffering people. - At that time all of a sudden she heard a strong inner voice. - It said, "Renounce everything in order to serve my people, for your service should be to the sorrowful, the refugees, the vulnerable and the sick". - This inner voice became even stronger during the days of her retreat. - She named this call as "A Call Within the Call" and went ahead to liberate the least among the people. - This led her to start the new religious Congregation of the 'Missionaries of Charity' in 1950. ### b) Interpretation of the Human Experience: - What scenes did St Teresa see when she was a teacher? - What inner voice did she hear while travelling to Darjeeling? - How did she react to this inner voice? - What mission did God entrust to her? - What do you know about the people who try to liberate suffering people? ## II. THE WORD OF GOD: ### a) Proclamation of the Word of God: Ex 3:1-5, 7-10: - One day while Moses was taking care of the sheep and goats of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, he led the flock across the desert and came to Sinai, the holy mountain. - There the angel of the LORD appeared to him as a flame coming from the middle of a bush. - Moses saw that the bush was on fire but that it was not burning up. - "This is strange”, he thought. "Why isn’t the bush burning up? I will go closer and see." - When the LORD saw that Moses was coming closer, he called to him from the middle of the bush and said, "Moses! Moses!" - He answered, "Yes, here I am". - God said, "Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground." - Then the LORD said, "I have seen how cruelly the people are being treated in Egypt; I have heard them cry out to be rescued from their slave-drivers. - I know all about their sufferings, and so I have come down to rescue them from the Egyptians and to bring them out of Egypt to a spacious land, one which is rich and fertile and in which the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites now live. - I have indeed heard the cry of my people, and I see how the Egyptians are oppressing them. - Now I am sending you to the king of Egypt so that you can lead my people out of his country.” ### b) In the Light of the Word of God: - God chose Mother Teresa to liberate the poor and down-trodden people of Kolkata from their sufferings. - Likewise God commissioned Moses to liberate the suffering Israelites in Egypt. - The people of God were suffering in various ways in Egypt. - In order to control their growing number, the Pharaoh ordered that all their new born males be killed. - But Moses who was born at that time was protected in a strange way by God. - Moses grew up under the loving care of the daughter of Pharaoh (Read: Ex 1:15-2:10). - Moses, who fled from Pharaoh's presence, was taking care of the flock of sheep on Mount Horeb. - Having heard the cry of the suffering Israelites, God commissioned Moses to free them from their bondage. - He called out to Moses from the burning bush. - Commissioning Moses, God said, "And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. - Come I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring forth my people, the sons of Israel out of Egypt” (Ex 3:9-10). ### The Reaction of Moses: - Moses heard the voice of God. - But he was afraid of the mission given to him. - He thought of his inability to do God's work. - God Himself encouraged Moses and said, "I will be with you" (Ex 3:12). - Then God gave him the power to work miracles (Ex 4:1-5), - and sent his brother Aaron as a helper in his mission (Ex 4:27-31). - According to His promises, God stood by him and helped him. - Thus, the Israelites were able to obtain their liberation under the leadership of Moses. ## III. ACTIVITIES: ### a) Questions: 1. What plan did Pharaoh make, to prevent the Israelites from multiplying? 2. How did God protect Moses at his birth? 3. For what mission did God call Moses? 4. What did God say to Moses? 5. How did God encourage Moses? 6. What is the significance of God's call? 7. From the Bible list the names of the persons whom called in a special way. 8. How should we accept the call of God? 9. What is the importance of a Christian calling? ### b) Group Discussion: - God calls some people to be religious, priests, committed single persons and some to the married life. - Are all these vocations equal? Why? ### c) Read the following passages from the Bible and answer the questions given below? - Jeremiah 1:4-19 - Mark 1:16-18 - Mark 10:17-22 - Luke 1:26-38 - Acts 9:1-22 - In the each passage point out: - Whom did God call for His mission? - What was the mission that God entrusted to each? - What was the reaction of each individual? ### d) Read the life story of Mother Teresa and write a short composition on her 'Call within the Call’. ### e) Memorize: 1. "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Mt 4:19). 2. "If today you would hear His voice harden not your hearts" (Heb 4:7). ### f) Hymn (With Joyful Lips S.19): 1. God's spirit is in my heart, - He has called me and set me apart. - This is what I have to do, - What I have to do. - Ch: He sent me to give the Good - News to the poor, - Tell prisoners that they are - prisoners no more, - Tell blind people that they can see, - And set the downtrodden free, - And go tell everyone - The news that the Kingdom of - God has come. 2. Just as the Father sent me, - So I'm sending you out to be - My witnesses throughout the world, - The whole of the world. 3. Don't carry a load in your pack, - You don't need two shirts on your back. - A workman can earn his own keep, - Can earn his own keep. ## Lesson 3. ### THE TEN PLAGUES OF EGYPT - **Message:** God is Almighty - **Aim:** The Almighty God sent ten plagues on the Egyptians. - **The Word of God:** Psalm: 78:44-53 - **Teaching Aids:** - **Real Life Situation:** - Incidents of calamities from daily newspapers. - **Pictures of:** - The American World Trade Center which was destroyed by the terrorists on Sept 11, 2001. - Any natural calamities or accidents. - Persons suffering in hospital beds. ## I. A HUMAN EXPERIENCE: ### a) Events from Daily Newspapers: - Our daily newspapers bring news from every nook and corner of the world. - If we read today's newspaper, we come across a string of calamities with other news. - For example: - Deaths caused by road accidents and the victims struggling between life and death. - Bloodshed due to bomb blasts. - Riots in the name of religion. - Destruction and assaults for money and property. - Displacement caused by earthquakes, famine and floods. - Deaths through terminal illness. ### b) Interpretation of the Human Experience: - What are the events that bring suffering and loss of life to human beings? - Why do these afflictions take place? - Is it possible to prevent them? - What message does a person get when he is afflicted? ## II. THE WORD OF GOD: ### a) Proclamation of the Word of God: Ps 78:44-53: - He turned the rivers into blood, and the Egyptians had no water to drink. - He sent flies among them, that tormented them, and frogs that ruined their land. - He sent locusts to eat their crops and to destroy their fields. - He killed their grapevines with hail and their fig-trees with frost. - He killed their cattle with hail and their flocks with lightning. - He caused them great distress try pouring out his anger and fierce rage, which came as messengers of death. - He did not restrain his anger or spare their lives, but killed them with a plague. - He killed the first-born sons of all the families of Egypt. - Then he led his people out like a shepherd and guided them through the desert. - He led them safely, and they were not afraid; but the sea came rolling over their enemies. ### b) In the Light of the Word of God: - Moses and his brother Aaron were given the miraculous rod and were sent to deliver God's people from their bondage by the Egyptians. - Both of them met Pharaoh in order to ask him to take the people out to worship the Lord in the desert. - But Pharaoh hardened his heart and increased the laborious tasks of the Israelites to make their lives more bitter. - Therefore, God inflicted various afflictions on the Egyptians through Moses and Aaron, to bring about a change of heart in Pharaoh - These afflictions are called plagues. - We read details of these plagues in Exodus 7:14-12:30. * **1" Plague: Water is turned into Blood** - Aaron struck the rod on the waters of the river Nile. - All the waters of the rivers, streams, lakes and ponds turned into blood. - The fish died and started stinking. - Hence there was no water for the Egyptians to drink (Ex 7:14-25). * **2nd Plague: Frogs.** - Seeing Pharaoh hard-hearted, under God's order, Aaron stretched out his rod, and frogs came up to the houses, to the ovens, to the bed room of Pharaoh and the servants quarters and caused great trouble (Ex 8:1-11). * **3rd Plague: Gnats.** - Aaron struck the dust of the earth with his rod and there came gnats on human beings and beasts (Ex 8:12-15). * **4th Plague: Swarms of Flies.** - Pharaoh hardened his heart again. - So there came great swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh, into his servants' quarters, and all the land of Egypt and the land was ruined by the flies (Ex 8:16-20). * **5th Plague: The Destruction of Livestock.** - The Lord sent a very severe plague upon the cattle. - All the cattle of the Egyptians died but the cattle of the people of Israel survived (Ex 9:1-7). * **6th Plague: Boils.** - Moses and Aaron were instructed to take ashes from a furnace and stand before Pharaoh and to throw them toward heaven. - They caused boils breaking out in sores on human beings and beasts throughout the land of Egypt (Ex 9:8-12). * **7th Plague: Rain of Hailstones.** - According to the advice of God, Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven and the Lord sent thunder, hailstones and rain of fire upon the earth. - The hailstones struck down every plant and shattered every tree of the field. - But there were no hailstones where the people of Israel lived (Ex 9:22-26). * **8th Plague: Locusts.** - Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven and locusts covered the whole land of Egypt and they ate all the plants in the land and all the fruits of the trees which the hailstones had left (Ex 10:12-15). * **9th Plague: Darkness.** - Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven and there was thick darkness in the land of Egypt for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they dwelt (Ex 10:21-23). * **10th Plague: The Death of the First-born of the Egyptians.** - As the Lord commanded Moses earlier, at midnight the Lord smote all the first-born sons in the land of Egypt and all the first born of the cattle (Ex 12:29-30). ### The Specialty of the Plagues: - All these plagues were terrible. - They were inflicted one after the other. - Thus, the land of the Egyptians, their livestock and the people were destroyed. - Pharaoh's heart was softened after every plague and he begged Moses to deliver them. - But once the plague was lifted, Pharaoh became hard-hearted again. - But after the tenth plague, he changed his mind completely and allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt with all their belongings](Ex 12:31-36). ### The Manifestation of God's Glory Through the plagues: - God permitted the plagues to take place as a punishment to the Egyptians and a sign of redemption for the Israelites. - When the Egyptians were feeling the loss, the Israelites were safe. - Yet in every plague, God's glory and power was manifested. - Every plague appeared and was withdrawn according to God's order. - However, the Israelites were spared from the effects of the plagues. - The impact of the ten plagues was so great on the Israelites that they recognized God's glory in them, even in later years. - We read about this in the book of Deuteronomy: "And the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes" (Deut 6:22). ### c) Inspiration for Christian Life: - The Plagues of Egypt reveal the wonders wrought by God for His beloved people. - We can learn many lessons from this episode. - God never abandons the people whom He loves. - He shares in their sufferings. - God does not tolerate injustice and oppression. - He punishes the unjust and frees the sufferer. - We should never be harsh to our charges, cause sufferings to others or be selfish. - We should not be hard-hearted like Pharaoh but work to set free the oppressed and downtrodden. - Both in our joys, victories and sufferings, we must be able to see God's protective and guiding hand. - And seeing His glory in these events, we have to realize that only God can deliver us from our sickness, problems and difficulties. ## III. ACTIVITIES: ### a) Questions: 1. What did Moses and Aaron take when they went to Egypt? 2. Why did God send various plagues to the Egyptians? 3. Which are the various plagues God sent on the Egyptians? 4. How did Pharaoh react to the different plagues? 5. What are the special features of the ten plagues? 6. What message did the plagues bring to the Israelites? 7. What message do the various plagues give us? ### b) Group discussion: - God is our loving Father. - He loves everyone. - If so, why did He inflict the plagues on the Egyptians? - Are there people who suffer oppression and injustice in your locality? - If yes, what kind of injustice and oppression are they suffering? - Who is responsible for their sufferings? - How can they be freed? ### c) Memorize: - "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord or lose courage when you are punished by Him" (Heb 12:5). - "He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness" (Heb 12:10). ### d) Dramatize: - Write a short dialogue between Pharaoh, Moses and Aaron and dramatize it. - (Read: Exodus, Chapters 7 to 12) ### e) Hymn (Praise the Lord, No. 25): - When my way groweth drear, - Precious Lord linger near, - When my life is almost gone, - Hear my cry, hear my call, - Hold my hand lest I fall, - Take my hand, precious Lord, - Lead me on. ## Lesson 4. ### THE PASSOVER MEAL - **Message:** We recall the Paschal Mystery or the Lord's Passover when we celebrate the Holy Eucharist. - **Aim:** The Passover meal is the memorial of the deliverance from Egypt. - **The Word of God:** Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 - **Teaching Aids:** - **Pictures of:** - A family meal - Celebration of a Jubilee  - The Last Supper of our Lord. ## I. A HUMAN EXPERIENCE: ### a) The Different Celebrations: 1. **The Silver Jubilee Celebration of Pope John Paul II:** - Pope John Paul the II ascended the See of St. peter in Rome on 16 October 1978 and became the Supreme head of the Catholic Church. - On 16 October 2003, he celebrated the 25th Anniversary of his service as Pope with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. - This historical event took place in St Peter's Basilica, Rome. - It is customary to look for the sign of the smoke at the election of a new Pope. - On his Jubilee day, smoke was let out from the chimney in St. peter's Basilica. - This custom brought to the memory of everyone the event that took place 25 years earlier. 2. **The Feasts of Saints:** - The Feasts of Saints and Martyrs are a memory of their witnessing to their faith by their heroic lives and deaths. 3. **Jubilee Celebration of Marriage.** - During their jubilee celebration, the couple recall the promises they made on their wedding day. - Once again they exchange rings and renew their commitment. ### b) Interpretation of the Human Experience: - What memories do these above mentioned examples bring to your mind? - What do we do during the celebrations to make the memory lasting? - When we offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass what do we remember? ## II. THE WORD OF GOD: ### a) Proclamation of the Word of God: Ex 12: 1-8, 11-14: - The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in Egypt: "This month is to be the first month of the year for you. - Give these instructions to the whole community of Israel: On the tenth day of this month each man must choose either a lamb or a young goat for his household. - If his family is too small to eat a whole animal, he and his next-door neighbour may share an animal, in proportion to the number of people and the amount that each person can eat. - You may choose either a sheep or a goat, but it must be a one-year old male without any defects. - Then, on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, the whole community of Israel will kill the animals. - The people are to take some of the blood and put it on the door-posts and above the doors of the houses in which the animals are to be eaten. - That night the meat is to be roasted, and eaten with bitter herbs and with bread made without yeast. - You are to eat it quickly, for you are to be dressed for travel, with your sandals on your feet and your stick in your hand. - It is the Passover Festival to honour me, the LORD. "On that night I will go through the land of Egypt, killing every first-born male, both human and animal, and punishing all the gods of Egypt. - I am the LORD. - The blood on the door-posts will be a sign to mark the houses in which you live. When I see the blood, I will pass over you and will not harm you when I punish the Egyptians. - You must celebrate this day as a religious festival to remind you of what I, the LORD, have done. - Celebrate it for all time to come." ### b) In the Light of the Word of God: - The last plague or the mighty act of God against Pharaoh, changed his hardened heart. - The death of his first born son grieved him very much. - He was moved to see the death of the first-born of the Egyptians and hear the cry of every person of Egypt. - He was so perplexed that he commanded Moses, "Rise up, go forth from among my people, both you and the people of Israel" (Ex 12:31). ### The Meaning of the Passover: - Before the last plague was inflicted on Pharaoh, Moses commanded the Israelites to eat the meal of the Paschal Lamb. - This term 'Pasch' is derived from the Hebrew word 'Pesha'. - It is translated as 'Pascha' in Greek. - The word 'Pasch' means 'Passover'. - So the term Pasch has two meanings: - The Lord God passed over the houses of the Israelites but slew all the first-born of the Egyptians. - He spared the households of the Israelite from this plague. - The Israelites passed over and were liberated from the slavery of Egypt. - Earlier the Israelites celebrated two agricultural feasts, namely 'Pesha' and 'Masot' in Israel. * **a) Pesha:** Before taking the sheep to distant places for pasture, a year old lamb was sacrificed. - The relatives were invited for this meal and they prayed for blessings on the flock. - They smeared the blood on the door lintels in order to drive away the evil spirits. * **b) Masot:** This is the new crop festival. - During the time of the harvest the peasants thank God for the food crop. - During this time they ate unleavened bread prepared from the new corn for seven days. - Now, these festivals were meaningful for the Israelites. - They were on their way to the Promised Land. - They sacrificed a lamb for protection and blessings on their journey to the Promised Land. - To start a new life in the Promised Land they ate unleavened bread. ### The Paschal meal: - The Israelites celebrated the Paschal meal in commemoration of their deliverance from Egypt. - All the things which they used during this meal had a special meaning to them: - **The Lamb:** It reminded the Israelites of their deliverance. - The houses which were smeared with the blood of the lamb were spared from the sword. - **The Unleavened Bread:** It reminded the Israelites of their hasty journey to the Promised Land. - **Bitter Herbs:** This reminded them of the bitter experiences they underwent in Egypt. ### c) Inspiration for Christian Life: - Every year the Israelites celebrated the Paschal meal as a sign of their deliverance from the Egyptians and from bondage (Ex 12:14, 27). - Jesus was a Jew. - Towards the end of His public life when He was partaking of this meal in remembrance of the Pasch, He gave it a new meaning. - Accordingly, it was a sign of the deliverance of humankind from the slavery of sin. - When He was dining with His disciples, Jesus took the bread and said, "Take and eat it, this is my Body". - Then He took a cup, gave thanks to God, and gave it to them. - "Drink it, all of you" He said; "this is my blood, which seals God's covenant, my blood poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Mt 26:17-19, 26-30). - Jesus himself became that Paschal lamb who delivered the human race completely from the bondage of sin. - In order to make this meal a memorial of His passion and death which would bring deliverance from the slavery of sin, He said, "Do this in memory of me" (Lk 22:19). - We partake of this meal daily. - We receive the Lamb of God, Jesus, and obtain strength for our earthly pilgrimage. - By this we free ourselves from the slavery of sin and are able to reach our heavenly abode at the end of our lives. - So, as a family of the faithful, we partake in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. - God commanded the Israelites through Moses to eat the Paschal meal as a family meal. - Jesus partook of the same meal with His disciples (Lk 22:15). - The meal which was partaken as a memorial, is celebrated today by the members of the Church family. - Though we are many, yet we are one family in spirit, for we all partake of one bread and one cup (I Cor 10: 14-17) - This Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (Eucharist) is the centre of our parish community. - It brings us closer to each other. - It gives us strength to work and live united as brothers and sisters. - Let us participate in the meal of Christ's redemption with devotion and fervour. ## III. ACTIVITIES: ### a) Questions: 1. Why did God order the Israelites to eat the paschal meal? 2. What is the meaning of the word 'Pasch'? 3. What meaning did the word 'Pasch' have for the Israelites? 4. What is the meaning of the feasts 'Pesha' and 'Masot'? 5. Explain how the Israelites prepared the paschal meal? 6. Give the significance of the things that were used for the Paschal meal? 7. What new meaning did Jesus give to the paschal meal? Explain. 8. What does the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass mean to us? ### b) Dramatize in groups how Jesus celebrated the Paschal meal (Read: Lk 22:7-23; Jn 13:1-35) ### c) Gather more information from your parish priest regarding the meaning of 'Paschal Tridum' i.e. Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Saturday/Sunday. ### d) Match the following: - Pasch: Feast of the new crop - Pesha: Jesus Christ - Masot: offering of the lamb - Eucharist: Passover - Paschal lamb: The centre of the parish community ### e) Hymn (With Joyful Lips, No. D.46): - Take this, all of you, eat of this my flesh. - Take, this is my blood, shed for sinners all. - For my life I give and my love I share: - Trust and believe in me. 1. Truly I say, my brethren: - Should you not drink my blood, - Should you not eat my body. - You have no life in you. 2. Wok for the food that's lasting, - Work not for food that spoils, - Work for the bread from heaven, - And gain eternal life. 3. I am the resurrection, - I am the bread of life. - One who has faith enduring, - Will live for ever. ## Lesson 5. ### THE CROSSING OF THE RED SEA - **Message:** God manifests His glory to save His people. - **Aim:** Through God's mighty power, the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. - **The Word of God:** Exodus 14:5-6, 10, 15-16, 21-29. - **Teaching Aids:** - **Pictures of:** - Rescuing people in an accident. - Crossing the Red Sea ## I. A HUMAN EXPERIENCE: ### a) A Mother Saves Her Child: - There lived a woman called Helen Glasslow in a remote village of Africa. - She lived with her small child in an old house. - She worked in a house for her daily bread. - She left the