Book Review: Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking teh Secrets of the Last Supper

I'm a great lover of the Christian Passover Seder Meal. I make my eldest son put lamb's blood on our doorway. We dress up in sandals and tell the story of Moses to our children. I made a family Haggadah. My favorite part of the meal is when we pray "It would have been enough", or the dayenu, as we put the ten drops of wine (or grape juice) on our plates in thanksgiving for God's active role in our lives. When I celebrate the Seder with my family, I'm not pretending to be Jewish for a night. I'm celebrating the entire history fo my family. I link the Old Testament and the New Testament together. I provide context for the "Last Supper" on Holy Thursday.

"Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper," by Brant Pitre is an excellent read for Lent. Image Books has released a paperback edition with a new Study Guide and forward by Scott Hahn. Pitre explains that this book came out of a lecture he created for priests. This book doesn't read like a boring list of ancient Jewish customs. Instead, Pitre provides clear and relevant historical context to the sights, sounds, and materials of the Mass.

Before Easter Sunday give your mind and heart a boost by reading Pitre's words on such topics as "The Jewish Custom of Giving Wine to the Dying" and "You have to eat the lamb." This book would make a great family project to review with Middle School and High School students.  Why simply nag Young Adults to keep their faith in college. Instead, be a role model to show that the Catholic faith is a life-long pattern of learning deep theological, historical and sacred truth?