Jul 16: New Bread, New Life

Hispano-Moresque Haggadah (Castile):Unleavened Bread
British Library, London, 13th cent.

Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading I: Ex 12:37-42

They baked unleavened cakes of the dough that they had brought out of Egypt; it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared any provisions for themselves (NRSV, Ex 12:39).

Father, the story tells us how the Israelites had to begin totally anew as they left Egypt, even eating bread made from unleavened dough because it was not possible to bring any previously raised dough with them. You, Father, through the Word always present to us, challenge us to start our lives anew at every moment as we are challenged to accept and to grow in your divine life. May every moment before us a dying to our old selves and a truly new birth in you.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.